7-Card Stud Poker

In 7-Card Stud each player is dealt 2 hole cards, 4 face-up cards, and 1 final hole card. Players may use any 5 of their own 7 cards to make their best 5-card high hand.

7-Card Stud Poker Gameplay

A hand begins with all players paying a forced bet, known as an ante. Each player is dealt 2 hole cards and 1 card face-up.

A round of betting occurs. The player with the lowest face-up card acts first, and is required to either place a forced bet called the bring-in, or wager a full small bet.

Each player in turn, clockwise, has an opportunity to call (match) or raise (increase) the current bet, or fold and exit the hand.

When this betting round is complete, a second face-up card is dealt to each remaining player. Another round of betting occurs, now beginning with the player showing the strongest face-up cards.

When this betting round is complete, a third face-up card is dealt to each remaining player. The betting amount now doubles to a big bet, and another round of betting occurs in the same way.

When this betting round is complete, a fourth face-up card is dealt to each remaining player. Another round of betting occurs in the same way. When this round is complete, 1 final face-down card is dealt to each remaining player.

A final round of betting occurs. If two or more players remain in the hand, a showdown is held and the players’ hole cards are compared. The pot is awarded to the best hand, or split in the event of a tie.

If any player is dealt a face-up pair in the first two up-cards, all players gain the option to double the bet size to a big bet, one betting round earlier than usual.

At showdown, opponents’ hole cards appear scrambled, and are not necessarily shown in the same order in which they were drawn.

7 Card Stud is played with Fixed Limit betting.