7 Card Stud Rules

7 Card Stud is one of the more popular forms of online poker because it combines the right mix of hidden cards and revealed cards to keep the game challenging and intriguing. Most 7 Card Stud players in the small and medium stake games are very weak but as you move up to the nosebleed limits, you’ll find some very dangerous opponents.

If you’re looking for a new form of poker and you’re tired of the community games like Holdem and Omaha, this is a great game to learn. It’s common in mixed games as well so if you’re into H.O.R.S.E poker, you will definitely want to learn this game.

Rules of 7 Card Stud

Ante

Each hand of 7 Card Stud begins with the ante, which is a small bet that each player must contribute to the pot. The ante can vary in size but it’s usually equal to about 10% of the small bet. In a $10/$20 Seven Card Stud game, the ante would be $1.00.

3rd Street

Each player is dealt two cards face down and one card face up.

The player with the lowest card showing must pay the bring-in, which is equal to half the small limit. That player may pay the bring-in or raise it up to the full small limit bet. After that, the betting continues clockwise around the table with each player either calling the minimum to stay in, raising or folding.

In a $10/$20 fixed limit 7 Card Stud game, the bring-in would be $5.

4th Street

One card is dealt face up to each player.

There is another round of betting but from here on out, the betting begins with the player who has the best hand showing.

5th Street

One card is dealt face up to each player.

There is another round of betting identical to the previous round except this time the high limit begins. So in a $10/$20 game, the bets would all now be in increments of $20.

6th Street

One card is dealt face up to each player.

There is another round of betting identical to the previous round.

7th Street

Each player is dealt one last card face down.

There is one last round of betting identical to the previous round.

Showdown

The payers still in the pot after the last round of betting now reveal their hole cards. The player with the best 5 card poker hand wins the pot.

Note – If there are not enough cards left to deal each player the last card, the dealer may instead deal one card face up in the middle of the table. This card is shared by all the players, just like the community cards in Texas Holdem.

Best Poker Site for 7 Card Stud

PokerStars probably has the best 7 Card Stud action on the internet. Full Tilt Poker comes in a close second place but PokerStars has the advantage of numbers. There are always games going at both poker sites.

Click here to play 7 Card Stud at PokerStars