7 Card Stud Poker is similar to the other poker variations, but it also has a lot of key differences in gameplay, betting and winning. But as in any other poker game, in 7 card stud a player's goal is to win as many chips possible.
It can be played between two an eight people and has four principal parts, the setup, the bring, the betting round and the showdown. Read below and find out how to play 7 Card Stud Poker.
7 Card Stud Poker Gameplay Rules
Setting up the Game
When playing 7 Card Stud Poker you need to have a wide variety of chips at your disposal, because this poker type will contain 3 different classes of bets, namely the big bet, the small bet and the ante. The big bet is usually double the size of the small bet and the ante is 10% of the big bet.
The next step will be the dealer shuffling the cards and the players placing an ante bet that will go directly into the pot. After this, the dealer will give out two face-down cards and one face up card to each player in a clockwise fashion.
The Bring
Unlike in Omaha Poker and Texas Hold'em Poker, it will not be the player to the left side of the big blind that starts the action. In 7 Card Stud Poker, it will be the player with the lowest valued face-up card that will start the action, or "bring it in", as it's called in Stud.
The above mentioned player has two options, one, to place a bet equal to the ante, or match up the value of the small bet.
First Betting Round
The player that will begin the action will be the one to the left side of the previously established bring. The player in question will have three options that are identical with the actions in the case of the other poker variants, namely Fold, Call and Raise.
- Fold: The player abandons his cards and leaves the round.
- Call: The player matches the amount of the bring.
- Raise:
Second Betting Round
After the first betting round, the dealer will give each remaining player at the table another face-up card. From this betting round on, the player who has the highest valued face up cards will be the one to begin the betting round.
The respective player will have the option to check - meaning not to make a bet - call, raise or fold. The betting round ends when each player performed an action.
Third Betting Round
In this betting round, the dealer will give another face-up card to each player, after which the player with the highest valued face-up card combination places the first bet. Contrary to the previous rounds, this round uses the big betting limit.
After every player performed one of the actions described in the previous rounds, the betting round will end.
Fourth Betting Round
This betting round is identical with the last betting round. Every player gets another face-up card, and the one with the highest valued combination places the first bet. This round also uses the big betting limit.
Fifth and Final Betting Round
In the last betting round of the game, the dealer gives another card, but this time face down, to each player. The player with the highest ranked face-up cards (the same player as last time) will begin the betting round.
The Showdown
This is the final stage of a 7 Card Stud game, where each player will have to form a 5 card combination out of his 7 cards. The remaining two cards the player discards will not be taken into consideration anymore.
After this, each player will reveal his or her 5 card combination, and the one that is valued the highest will win the pot.
7 Card Stud Poker Card Combinations
Stud Poker uses the same card combinations as other poker games. If you want to find out more about poker card combinations, then read our related article. Also, you should check out our other poker related guides, so you can learn everything about this fascinating card game.