Seven-Card Stud

Stud Poker is a game in which each player receives a determined number of face-down and face-up cards. There are five and six card variants, but the most popular played is Seven-Card Stud. In this variant of Stud Poker each player receives seven cards, three of which are hole cards dealt face down and the other four are dealt face up. The objective of the game is for the player to make the best possible hand using five of the available to him seven cards.

Seven-Card Stud could be played including 2 to 8 players. But in theory, if none of the players fold until the last round, the maximum number should be 7, as the cards will not be enough for 8 players. The deal commences clockwise and the role of the dealer rotates among players to the left, indicated by a button.

It is possible to play Seven-Card Stud by each player placing a compulsory bet, or an ante, before the deal of the cards, but this is not always the case. The game has five betting rounds, each of them limited with a minimum or a maximum bet, which could increase with the upcoming one.

First Betting Round

As the game begins, each player is dealt two cards face down and one card face up. There are two variants for the first betting round to start. In the first variation, the game is played with what is known as a “bring-in”. The player with a face-up card of the lowest rank has to pay a small predetermined bet to open the game. The rest of the players, starting with the first to the left of the bring-in, have the options to call the bring-in, raise to a full bet or fold, where checking is not an option. Another variation is for the first betting round to be opened by the player who has received the highest-ranking face-up card. He has to place a bet, followed to the player to his left, where checking is not an option for any of the players. In both cases, if two players have equal low-ranking or high-ranking cards, the one that would open the betting round would be the first to the left of the dealer.

Second Betting Round

After the first betting round is over, each player receives his fourth card dealt face up, followed by another betting round. The first bet is made by the player holding the highest hand in his face-up cards. In this and the subsequent rounds, the first player to bet has the option of checking, and so do the rest of the players until someone raises. As soon as all bets are equal, players receive another card.

Third Betting Round

The fifth card of each player is again dealt face up, followed by another betting round opened by thee player holding the best hand in his face-up cards.

Fourth Betting Round

Players receive their sixth card – face up again. A regular betting round follows.

Fifth Betting Round

The seventh and final card is received face down. It is followed by a final betting round, after which if necessary is the showdown.

The Showdown

For the showdown to take place, at least two players must be left in the game. After the fifth betting round, they reveal their hole cards, and the player with the best hand of five from the seven cards that he has, wins the pot. In case all players but one have folded, he would then automatically win the play and the pot.