Playing 7 Card Stud

The game begins when each player places an 'ante' in the pot. The ante is a rounded amount (such as $.25, $.50, $1, $2, $5), usually equal to or close to equal to 10% of the small bet, so in a 5/10 stud game the ante will usually be $.50, and in a 10/20 stud game, it will usually be $1. After the antes are made, the dealer deals two cards face down to each player (called their 'hole cards') and one card face up to each player.

The player who receives the lowest card will be forced to open the betting with a 'bring-in' bet. They are required to make a minimum bet in proportion to the small bet amount, but they can make a full bet if they wish. For example, in a $15/$30 stud game, a player's forced bet will either be the minimum $5, or the full $15 bet. If two players receive the same low card, the first one to receive their card acts first.

Players will have the option to 'call', complete the bet (if the bring-in raise was incomplete) or raise.

7 Card Stud Betting Rounds

After the first round of betting is complete, each remaining player will be dealt another card face up, in clockwise fashion starting with the highest open hand.

On 'fourth street', the lower betting amount will be in play. For a 5/10 stud game, this means that betting will be in increments of $5. If there is an open pair, however, players have the option of a double-bet. If a double-bet is initiated, all raises will have to be raises in the double-bet increment.

On the 'fifth street', 'sixth street' and 'seventh street', the betting increment will be the larger betting amount. For a 5/10 game, this will be $10. Cards are dealt face up for all betting rounds fourth street through sixth street, and only the last card (seventh street) is dealt face down. After the betting is completed on seventh street, the players remaining will show their hands, and the best five card poker hand wins.

7 Card Stud Variants

7 Card Stud is almost always played limit style (although occasionally low-limit cash games will be played pot-limit style). In limit, players are forced to bet in increments stated by the structure of the game. For instance, in a 5/10 stud game, players can only bet in increments of $5 on the first and second betting rounds (with the exception of an open pair on the second round allowing for a double-bet) and $10 on subsequent rounds. In limit 7 card stud, betting tends to be capped at a bet and 3 raises (4 bets total).