Stud Game · Antes · Low Card Bring-In · Split Pot · 8 Players Max
Overview
Cowpie is a 7-card stud variant with a Pai Gow twist. After all 7 cards are dealt (3 down, 4 up), each player separates their hand into a 5-card hand (3 up + 2 down) and a 2-card hand (1 up + 1 down). The pot splits between the best 5-card hand and the best 2-card hand across all players.
Watch a Sample Hand
The white line that appears at the end separates each player's 5-card hand (left) from their 2-card hand (right). Hero takes the 5-card half; P2 takes the 2-card half.
POT: $20
YOU (Hero)
5-CARD WIN!
Player 2
DBL BET AVAIL (pair showing)
2-CARD WIN!
Player 3
BRING-IN (2♠ lowest)
Ready to Deal
Press Next Step to begin dealing the sample hand.
Step 0 of 5
The Deal & Betting
Ante: All players post an ante (8 players max)
3rd Street: 2 cards face-down + 1 card face-up each → player with lowest upcard pays the bring-in
4th Street: 1 upcard each → player with best hand showing acts first. Optional double bet available if any player shows a pair
5th Street: 1 upcard each → player with best hand showing acts first
6th Street: 1 upcard each → player with best hand showing acts first
7th Street: 1 card face-down each → final betting round
Splitting Your Hand
IMPORTANT: After all 7 cards are dealt, each player separates into a 5-card hand and a 2-card hand before the final showdown.
5-card hand: Must use exactly 3 face-up cards + 2 face-down cards
2-card hand: Must use exactly 1 face-up card + 1 face-down card
Each hand must contain at least 1 down card (already enforced by the composition rule above)
The 5-card hand must outrank the 2-card hand (like Pai Gow — you cannot "foul" your hand)
Players separate hands in order starting with the player showing the best 5-card board
Split Pot
5-card half: Best standard 5-card poker hand among all players wins
2-card half: Best 2-card hand (highest card, then pair) among all players wins
A player can win both halves (scoop), split both with another player, or win just one
Strategy Tips
A royal flush or straight flush scoops the 5-card half easily — build around suited high cards
The 2-card half is won with just two cards — an ace in the hole paired with a high upcard is the most powerful 2-card holding
With 8 players max, pots can be large; look for scoop opportunities rather than splitting
The optional double bet on 4th street when any board is paired adds extra value to strong holdings
Pay attention to opponents' upcards — if they're drawing to a flush with their 3 visible up cards, their 2-card hand down cards may be weak
