How to Play Chicago Poker
Chicago Poker is a friendly home poker variant built on seven-card stud ideas. For more quick guides and card-game help, visit Playmore and then use this page to get started at your table.
Quick facts
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Game | Chicago Poker |
| Family | North American home stud poker |
| Typical players | 2–8 |
| Deck | 52-card standard deck |
| Beginner focus | Seven-card stud variant where a special spade (highest or lowest, version-dependent) wins a separate share of the pot |
What you are trying to do
Your main goal is to make the best five-card poker hand from the cards you receive. In Chicago Poker there’s an extra twist: one spade (either the highest or the lowest, depending on which house version you play) wins a separate half of the pot. That special spade rule is version-dependent, so check your agreed rules before you start.
What you need and how to set up
You need one normal 52-card deck and poker chips or another way to track money. Sit in a circle and pick a dealer. If you play many hands, pass the dealer button clockwise after each hand. Agree before you start whether your group uses the version where the highest spade, the lowest spade, or another spade rule decides the Chicago share of the pot. These details vary by house and region, so check the linked official or regional rules for the exact version you want to use.
How to play
- Ante or bring-in: Put small forced bets into the pot so there’s something to win. The exact ante or bring-in amount is a house choice.
- Initial deal: Deal cards so that each player will end with seven cards. The typical stud pattern gives players a mix of face-up and face-down cards, and play proceeds with betting between deals.
- Betting rounds: After each set of cards is dealt, there’s a betting round. Players may check, call, raise, or fold depending on the action and the stake structure you agreed on.
- Repeat deals and betting: Continue dealing the remaining cards (with betting after each deal) until every active player has their full hand. The number of rounds and which cards are face-up or face-down may vary by local rules.
- Showdown: If two or more players remain after the final betting round, reveal your cards. Compare five-card hands to find the poker winner for the main pot.
- Chicago share: Independently determine which spade wins the Chicago share (highest or lowest, per your chosen version). That player collects the agreed portion of the pot.
How a round or game ends
A single round ends when the final bets have been resolved and hands are shown (or everyone but one player has folded). The pot is split as agreed: the main pot goes to the best traditional five-card hand; the Chicago share goes to the special spade holder if applicable. If you play multiple rounds, move the dealer and repeat. Because exact Chicago rules vary, confirm how ties and splits are handled before you play.
Beginner tips
- Agree the Chicago rule (highest or lowest spade) before you start. It changes strategy a lot.
- Watch upcards. In stud games most information comes from face-up cards; note who is showing spades.
- Manage your bankroll. Small antes and careful raises help you learn without big losses.
- Fold when odds are bad. If you’re beat early and the pot won’t justify a call, it’s okay to fold and wait.
- Ask questions. House variants are common, so confirm betting structure, antes, and the Chicago payout before dealing.
FAQ
Do I need a special deck for Chicago Poker?
No. Chicago Poker uses a normal 52-card deck. You don’t need any special cards.
Which spade wins the Chicago pot?
That depends on the version you agreed to play. Some groups give the Chicago to the highest spade, others to the lowest. Confirm with your group first.
Where can I find the exact official rules?
There are authoritative and regional rule references for Chicago Poker. Check those linked official or regional rules before playing to learn exact turn order, betting details, and tie procedures for your chosen version.