Official Poker Rules BoardDocument OPR-535 · Updated 28 September 2026

Home game · Shared card

Horn-A-Vika Rules

Horn-A-Vika is a Seven Card Stud variant with one shared spit card and a pot-matching rule. Whenever a player's face-up cards form a new pair, or match the spit card, that player must pay an amount equal to the whole pot or fold. In return, a player who has matched the pot may bet and raise more than the normal limit.

Players: 2 to 7
Type: Stud with one shared card
Wild cards: None
Betting: Fixed maximums; three raises per round
Pot: High only

Article 1Players, deck and objective

1.1

Horn-A-Vika was contributed to pagat.com by Arthur Buderick as one of the games in his dealer's choice home game. It is a variant of Seven Card Stud, played with a standard 52-card deck and no wild cards.

1.2

Each player receives three cards face down and four face up, and one spit card is dealt face up to the table for everyone to use. Each player makes the best five-card hand from these eight cards. The highest hand wins the pot.

1.3

Each player needs seven cards, plus the one spit card, so up to seven players can take part.

Article 2Matching the pot

2.1

Whenever a player receives a new face-up card that matches the rank of one of their other face-up cards, making a pair, three of a kind, two pair or better on their board, that player must immediately either match the pot or fold.

2.2

To match the pot, the player pays into the pot an amount equal to everything it contains at that moment. The pot therefore doubles.

2.3

The same applies when the spit card is dealt: any player with a face-up card of the same rank as the spit card must match the pot or fold. On the last face-up round, a card that matches the spit card has the same effect.

2.4

When several players must decide after the spit card, the player with the highest hand showing decides first. The source does not set an order for other rounds. The usual practice is to follow the order of the deal.

2.5

A player who makes three of a kind or two pair face up will have had to match the pot twice to stay in. With four of a kind or a full house face up, it can be three times.

Article 3Betting limits

3.1

Each betting round allows a bet and at most three raises.

3.2

On the first round, the maximum bet or raise is $2 for everyone.

3.3

On the second, third and fourth rounds, the maximum bet or raise is $2. A player who has matched the pot may instead bet or raise up to half the amount they paid the last time they matched it, if that is more than $2.

3.4

On the fifth and final round, the maximum bet or raise is $5, or half the amount the player last paid to match the pot if that is more.

3.5

The dollar amounts are those given in the source. A home game may agree different stakes before the deal.

Article 4The deal and betting rounds

4.1

The dealer antes $1. The source describes no other ante.

Stage	Cards dealt	Then
1	Two down, one up to each player	1st betting round, opened by the highest card showing
2	One up to each player	Pairs on board match the pot or fold. 2nd betting round, opened by the best hand showing
3	One up to each player	Pairs on board match the pot or fold
4	The spit card, face up to the table	Up cards matching it match the pot or fold. 3rd betting round, opened by the best hand showing
5	One up to each player	A match with any of the player's up cards or the spit card: match the pot or fold. 4th betting round
6	One down to each player	5th and final betting round, then showdown

Article 5Showdown

5.1

Each remaining player makes the best five-card hand from their three down cards, four up cards and the spit card. The highest hand wins the pot.

Example

Matching the pot twice

The pot holds $20. Player A shows 8♣ and is dealt the 8♦ face up, making a pair on board. A pays $20 to stay in, and the pot is now $40. For the rest of the hand, A may bet or raise up to $10 on the middle rounds.

Player B shows K♥ and is dealt the K♠. B must pay $40, and the pot is now $80. B may now bet or raise up to $20.

The spit card is the 8♠. A's two eights match it, so A must match the pot again: $80, making the pot $160. A's limit is now $40.

Article 6Strategy notes

Pairing on board is expensive: the cost doubles the pot each time. Consider the chance of pairing when deciding whether to stay in.
A player who has matched the pot can bet far more than the others, which puts pressure on players with smaller limits.
The spit card belongs to everyone, so a spit card that matches your hole cards helps you without costing anything.

Article 7Frequently asked questions

What happens if you pair your up cards in Horn-A-Vika?

You must immediately pay an amount equal to the whole pot, or fold.

What is the spit card in Horn-A-Vika?

A single face-up card dealt to the table after the third up card. Everyone can use it in their hand, but a player whose up card matches it must match the pot or fold.

How many cards do you use in Horn-A-Vika?

You make the best five-card hand from eight: three down cards, four up cards and the spit card.

Final authority

Where any doubt remains in the application of this document, Rob is right.

Hand rankings, high to low: royal flush · straight flush · four of a kind · full house · flush · straight · three of a kind · two pair · one pair · high card. Suits never break ties.

Horn-A-Vika Rules · OPR-535 · officialpokerrules.com/horn-a-vika/

OPR-535Uncontrolled when printed