High Low Chicago

The player with the highest or lowest spade in the hole (face down) wins half the pot.

High Low Chicago tweaks the formula on Seven-card Stud so the game can be about the highest or the lowest hand.

There can also be two winners who split the pot. The player with the highest or lowest spade in the hole (face down) wins half the pot. Whoever has the best hand after this gets the rest of the pot.

The only exception to this is if one player has the best spade in the hole combined with the best hand – then they walk away with the lot.

Each player starts with one card face up. Whoever has the lowest face-up card gets things underway with a bring-in-bet (usually agreed before the game starts). Bets are then placed and each player can call, raise or fold.

How to Play

Both High Chicago and Low Chicago are standard 7 card stud games with a split pot. The pot is split between the highest poker hand and either the highest (High Chicago) spade or lowest (Low Chicago) spade held as one of a players’ hole cards.

1. High Chicago – the highest spade in the hole. (Ace of spades is highest card.)
2. Low Chicago – the lowest spade in the hole. (Deuce of spades is lowest card.)
If no player has a hole card spade at the showdown, the entire pot is won by the player with the best standard poker hand.

SUMMARY of ACTION:

Deal 2 hole cards and 1 up card to each player.
Bet
Deal 1 up card to each player (“4th street”).
Bet.
Deal 1 up card to each player (“5th street”).
Bet.
Deal 1 up card to each player (“6th street”).
Bet.
Deal 1 hole card to each player (“7th street”).
Bet.
Showdown.

PLAYING TIPS for HIGH CHICAGO & LOW CHICAGO STUD POKER

Strategy for both High Chicago and Low Chicago Stud Poker is similar to classic 7 card stud. The twist is that the pot is split between the best standard poker hand and the highest or lowest spade held as a player’s hole card. At the very beginning of this game the best poker hand has yet to be determined while the best hole spade may already be in play.

If you have not been dealt a strong hole spade among your first 2 down cards you are essentially competing for only the highest poker hand, and you will have to call numerous bets and raises for that chance. You must have cards strong enough to seriously compete for the best hand when that occurs. When you start with neither, you should get out right away.