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Chicago High and Low are variations of Seven Card Stud Poker. The difference is, that whoever has the highest poker hand at the end of the game will split the pot with whoever has the highest (if you’re playing Chicago High) or the lowest (if you’re playing Chicago Low) spade amongst their 3 face down cards.
To start the game, all players will place a bet known as the ‘ante’. After the ante, each player will be dealt three cards. Two of these are face down and are known as ‘hole cards’ but one is face up. This card is called the ‘door card’
Whichever player’s ‘door card’ has the lowest rank (an ace is counted as high in this situation) is then required to start the betting. The betting then continues clockwise, as will all betting rounds from here onwards. Players can choose to call the bet, raise, or fold. This round of betting is known as ‘Third Street.’
When the round of betting is over, a fourth card is dealt to each player who has not folded face up. The player who now has the highest combination of face up cards will begin the betting. He can check, bet, or fold. Once a bet has been placed by a player then the option to check is no longer available. On occasion, all players at the table may decide to check – this simply means that there is a round with no bets.
Players are then dealt another face up card each and another round of betting ensues. This round is known as ‘Fifth Street’. The minimum betting amount will double, usually making it match the highest limit in the game.
After the ‘Fifth Street’ round is over, players are dealt another card. Again, this card is dealt face up and another betting round known as ‘Sixth Street’ begins.
Any players still remaining in the game then receive their final card. This card is placed face down. Sometimes at this stage in the game there aren’t enough cards left in the deck to be able to deal each remaining player a card at this point. If this is the case, then a community card is dealt face up instead for all the players to be able to use.
The last round of betting then begins. This final round is known as ‘Seventh Street’ or more commonly the ‘River’. When the round of betting ends then any players who are still active in the game will reveal their hands. The player with the highest five card poker hand will win the round and then split the pot with whoever has the highest spade or the lowest spade (depending on which variation of Chicago you are playing) in their face down cards!
