Many players are familiar with how to play seven card stud, but get confused when trying to play stud 8 or better poker.  The concept of making a low hand and identifying a scooping hand sometimes is a difficult concept to grasp.  Today, we will review how to identify a low hand and also how to spot a two way scoop hand.

First, a low is a hand of five unique cards eight and below.  That means that you cannot have pairs of any type in your hand.  Also, aces play both high and low in stud 8.  For instance, if you hold Kc-2d-Ah-6s-8c-9s-7h, you have an eight low (8-7-6-2-A).  Another example would be 7h-2c-5d-As-10s-Js-6c.  This hand contains a seven low (7-6-5-2-A).  How about a hand such as 6c-6s-2d-Ad-3c-Kh-4s?  This hand contains a six low (6-4-3-2-A).  The hand had a pair of sixes but there were four other unique cards to make a low.  What if you held 8c-8s-8d-5c-4c-2h-Ks?  You do not have a low in this hand.  Yes, you have 6 cards in your hand eight and below, but only four of those cards are unique.

Now that we have gone over identifying low hands, let’s look at scoop potential hands.  What do you hold if you have 8c-2c-4s-Ad-Ah-8s-5c?  In this example you hold two pair and an eight low.  Aces and eights are your two pair with 8-5-4-2-A for your low.  How about 4c-4s-4d-3s-2d-Ah-6h?   This is a set of fours with a six low (6-4-3-2-A).   Now let’s look at 6c-7c-5d-Ks-4d-3h-Qs.  What do you hold here?  You have a seven high straight and a seven low.  2c-4c-8c-6c-Ac-Ks-Qs would give you a flush with an eight low.  Low straights and low flushes can play both ways.   What about 6c-7d-8h-9d-10h-As-2c?   If you said a ten high straight with an eight low, you are correct.  As you can see, you do not need to use the same five cards for both high and low.  Also remember, if you have a high hand only, that hand can still scoop a pot if no one makes a qualifying low.

Now that you have a few examples of how to spot low hands and how to spot scoop hands, let’s review a few things to keep in mind that will help you quickly identify a low.  First, if you have 3 cards in your hand higher than 9, you cannot make a low.  If you have a full house, you will not make a low.  Aces play both ways, so don’t get locked into thinking that aces are high only.  Finally, if you are uncertain as to whether or not you have a low, turn your hand over.  In casinos, cards speak.  This means that when you show your hand, you do not have to announce it.  The dealer can read the hand for you and award the pot accordingly.  Granted, this is a dead giveaway that you are a rank beginner in the game, but at the same time get help if you need it.

Once you get the hang of reading low hands, reading them will become second nature.  I recommend getting a deck of cards and dealing some hands out and taking your time to identify low hands and potential scoop hands.  Once you feel comfortable, get yourself into a game.  Good luck to you.