Chicago hi-lo poker is a variation on the classic game of seven-card stud which can be played two ways, allowing the pot to be split between two players in both versions. To find out more about this unique card game, read on to learn how to play Chicago hi-lo poker.

With the exception of splitting the pot at the end of a hand, Chicago hi-lo is played nearly identically to that of seven-card stud. Each player receives a total of seven cards in their hand, with three face down and four face up. Players use their best five cards to make standard poker hands.http://www.pokermike.com/poker/7_stud.html

Unlike standard seven-card stud, the pot is split between two players at the table, one holding the highest-ranking five-card hand and another holding either the highest or lowest spade in their face-down cards. In the high variation, known as "Big Chicago," half the pot is awarded to the person holding the highest face-down space, while "Little Chicago" gives the person with the lowest-ranking face-down spade half the total pot.http://www.pokermike.com/poker/7_stud.html

Before playing either version of Chicago hi-lo, each player will need to understand the rules of the game, basic gameplay, ranking of hands and how to split the pot.

Prior to starting each game, everyone will need to know and understand the rules. Additional details, such as the betting amounts and limits will also need to be agreed upon by each person at the table.

1. Two-to-nine players may participate at each table. As there will not be enough cards for all players to play each hand to the end when playing with higher numbers at a table, the final card may be turned up in the center for all to use rather than dealt to each player.
2. For equipment, each table will need a standard deck of 52 cards and chips or other objects to use for betting.
3. Play always follows a clockwise manner, including how the cards are dealt and the order of betting.
   1. Cards are dealt starting with the person to the immediate left of the dealer, with the dealer moving one seat clockwise after each hand.
   2. The player holding the lowest face-up card(s) will open the betting during each round. Should two players tie for the lowest card(s) the suits will be used, with spades being the highest followed by hearts, diamonds and clubs.
4. Stakes, including the ante amount and minimum betting amounts can vary based on table preference. Regardless of the bet amount, the ante should be only a fraction of that bet amount.
5. Similarly, limits can vary on table preference from fixed limit, no limit and pot limit games commonly played.

Now that all the rules and details are out of the way, it's time to start the game. Those familiar with seven-card stud will feel at home playing Chicago hi-lo as the gameplay is nearly identical.

1. Each player bets the ante amount to start the center pot.
2. Starting with the player to their immediate left, the dealer gives each player three cards, the first two face down and the third face up.
3. The player holding the lowest-ranking face-up card is required to open the betting, placing the bring-in bet in the pot. Play continues around the table clockwise allowing each player to call the bring-in, raise the amount or fold their cards.
4. Fourth street, or a fourth card, placed face up, is dealt to each player.
5. Again starting with the player with the lowest face-up cards, a round of betting follows, going around the table in a clockwise manner.
6. A fifth card, fifth street, is given to each of the remaining players in the hand. Betting follows once again.
7. A sixth and seventh card is given to each player, the sixth being face up and the final card face down. Betting follows after each card is dealt.
8. Should more than one player remain at the end of the hand, all cards are turned face up to determine which players win the pot.

Different from seven-card stud, the pot in Chicago hi-low is split at the time of the showdown. The player with the highest five-card hand will win half of the pot automatically, using a standard scale of hand rankings.

1. In Chicago lo, the player with the lowest-ranking spade in their face-down or hole cards wins the other half of the pot. Additionally, in this version, aces are always high when determining the low hand only.
2. In Chicago hi, the player holding the highest-ranking spade wins the second half of the pot.
3. In rare situations where no player is holding a face-down spade, the entire pot will be awarded to the player holding the highest-ranking five-card hand.
4. Should one or more variations to Chicago hi-lo be used, such as the Chicago By Night version with one-eyed jacks or deuces being wild, the ranking of hands will need to be altered to allow for advanced hands, like a five of a kind, to be played. Similarly, in variations known as San Francisco hi or lo, rather than awarding half of the pot to the player with the highest or lowest face-down spade, hearts are used.
5. In standard games, hands are ranked as follows: