How to Play 7 Card Stud

Rules of 7 Card Stud

Seven Card Stud has been overshadowed by Texas Holdem for a while now but there is still a loyal base of 7 Card Stud fans out there. 7 Card Stud is a little harder to master than Holdem and because of this, expert 7 Card Stud players are far and few between. The good news for you is that once you become proficient in the game, you’ll be able to play against many inexperienced players and increase your bankroll gradually.

The Ante

7 Card Stud rules first require every player to post an ante before the cards are dealt. The ante usually ranges from about 10% to 25% of the small bet. So if you’re playing a $10/$20 game, the ante is usually going to be $1. In some $10/$20 games the ante might be as high as $2.50 but $1 is much more common.

The Deal

The dealer will now deal one card at a time to each player, starting to his left and moving clockwise around the table until all players have received two cards face down and one card face up.

Third Street

This stage of the hand is called “third street” because each player now has three cards. The player with the lowest card showing will begin the betting by posting the “bring in.”

The bring in is a forced bet that is equal to half the lower betting limit. In our $10/$20 game, the bring in would be $5. If the player with the lowest card showing chooses not to post the bring in, he must fold his cards. The player to his left would then be responsible for posting the bring in.

After the bring in is posted, betting moves clockwise around the table. Each player may either call, raise by the lower betting limit (in our example this would be $10) or fold his cards.

Fourth Street

On fourth street the dealer deals a fourth card, face up, to each player. This time, the player with the best two-card hand showing begins the betting. He may either check or bet the lower limit ($10). The betting continues clockwise around the table.

Fifth Street

Just like in fourth street, every player is dealt one card face up. Another round of betting follows this card except now the bet sizes are raised to the higher limit. In our $10/$20 game, all bets and raises are placed in $20 increments.

Sixth Street

Sixth street is played just like fifth street. Each player is dealt one card face up and is followed by another round of betting.

Seventh Street

Seventh street is the last card to be deal and it is also known as the “river” card. On seventh street, each player is dealt a final card face down. There is one last round of betting at the higher limit ($20).

Showdown

After the betting is completed on seventh street, each remaining player shows his cards. The player with the best five card poker wins the pot. Players may use any combination of the seven cards they were dealt throughout the hand.

Where to Play 7 Card Stud Online

Some of the best 7 Card Stud games can be found at PokerStars, Cake Poker and Red Kings Poker. PokerStars will usually give you the best chance at finding games, but bear in mind it’s also where some of the best 7 Card Stud players normally hang out at.

Cake Poker and Red Kings Poker don’t have as many players but the competition is much softer there. If you’re new to the game, I would suggest you try one of those two sites first - or at least just download the software and just play for play money to get yourself used to the game in general.