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Second Hand High is dealt and bet exactly like seven-card stud, but at showdown the second-highest hand wins the pot instead of the highest. If everyone else folds, the last remaining player still wins.
Second Hand High is played with a standard 52-card deck without jokers. It follows the rules of seven-card stud except as stated on this page. There are no wild cards.
Hands rank according to the standard poker hand rankings. Each player's hand is the best five cards from the seven they are dealt.
The object is to hold the second-best hand at showdown, or to be the last player remaining after the others fold.
Each player places an agreed ante. The cards are dealt and bet exactly as in seven-card stud.
| Stage | Cards dealt to each player | Betting round |
|---|---|---|
| Third street | Two down, one up | First |
| Fourth street | One up | Second |
| Fifth street | One up | Third |
| Sixth street | One up | Fourth |
| Seventh street | One down | Fifth and last |
At showdown, the hands are ranked in the usual way and the player with the second-highest hand wins the pot.
If only two players reach showdown, the lower of the two hands is the second-highest and wins the pot.
If all players but one fold, the remaining player wins the pot without a showdown.
Ties. The usual practice is as follows:
3.4(a) If two or more hands tie for the highest, none of them wins. The next-highest hand below them wins the pot.
3.4(b) If two or more hands tie for second place, they split the pot equally.
Three players at showdown
Player A shows a flush: A♥9♥7♥4♥2♥.
Player B shows a straight: 9♦8♣7♠6♦5♣.
Player C shows two pair: K♠K♦3♣3♠Q♦.
The flush is the highest hand and the straight is second. Player B wins the pot.
The player with the second-best hand at showdown. The best hand does not win. If everyone else folds, the last player left takes the pot.
The usual rule is that neither of them wins, and the next-highest hand takes the pot. If two players tie for second place, they split the pot.
The lower of the two hands, because it is the second-highest hand shown.
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.
Second Hand High Rules · OPR-707 · officialpokerrules.com/second-hand-high/