Seven Card Stud Rules
Seven Card Stud Rules is a classic American poker game that is popular in most casino card rooms today and has seen a new influx of players at the online card rooms. Although the game has recently taken a back seat to Texas hold'em, it was once the most popular casino card game in America. Seven card stud is not like other community card games like Texas hold'em. While it is a poker game and similar strategies and tactics apply, in seven card stud each players cards are theirs and theirs alone. This article will give you the basic rules and game play of seven card stud.
Set up, deal and third street
Seven card stud is usually played with antes rather than blinds. The ante is a small wager that each player puts in the pot before the hand is dealt. The ante is usually between five and ten percent of the games small bet, but it could be larger. Once all players have put in their ante, the dealer gives each player two face down cards and one card face up. This phase of the hand is called third street. Once all players have been dealt cards, the player showing the lowest up card must make a forced bet called the bring in. If there is a tie for the lowest card then the suit will determine the lowest. Clubs is the highest followed by diamonds, hearts and then spades as the lowest. Once the bring in bet has been place, play proceeds around the table in a clockwise motion with each player having the option to call, raise or fold.
Fourth street
Once third street play has concluded, the dealer gives each player another card face up. Play now begins with the player showing the most powerful poker hand. Play continues around the table until all players have had a chance to act.
Fifth street
On fifth street the dealer again gives players another card face up and play begins with the player showing the most powerful poker hand. One difference on fifth street is that now the betting increases to the bigger bet. For example, if you were playing in a $5/$10 game of seven card stud the bets on third and fourth street would be $5 while on fifth street the bet would increase to $10 for the rest of the hand.
Sixth street
Play on sixth street is identical to fifth street. Players are dealt another card face up, the betting is at the higher level and play begins with the player showing the most powerful poker hand.
The river and the showdown
Once sixth street concludes the dealer gives each player one final face down card. Like sixth street, play begins with the player showing the most powerful poker hand. Once all players have had a chance to call, the players remaining in the hand will have a showdown to determine the winner of the pot. Players make the best five card hands from their seven cards and the dealer awards the pot to the player with the most powerful hand.
Seven card stud is ultimately a complicated poker game that will require more study and practice than some of today's more popular games. With that said however, a good seven card stud player can literally rip apart novice or beginner players so it is an excellent game to study up on!
