5 Card Stud Poker

 
 

>> 5 Card Stud introduction

7 Card Stud Poker is probably the most popular of the stud games. Unlike the hold'em games there are no community cards, as the name suggests each player is eventually dealt seven cards, four of which are face up. There are five rounds of betting in 7 Card Stud, as opposed to the four rounds in Hold'em and Omaha.

>> Structure of game

1. Antes
Each player must ante, before receiving any cards. The amount of the ante depends on the table limits, but is usually a percentage of the lower limit.

2. Cards Dealt
Each player is dealt two cards, one at a time, one face down (hole card) and one face up.

3. 1st Betting Round
The player showing the lowest card must make a compulsory bet 'the bring-in bet' usually half of the the lower table limit. A round of betting then follows with each player having the option to:

  • Call (match the current bet)
  • Raise (increase the bet by the lower limit)
  • Fold (give up & forfeit any bets placed)

E.g. In a $10/$20 game, the ante is usually $1, the bring-in $5, and a raise is $10. In each round there is a maximum of 1 bet and 3 raises.

4. Third Street
After betting has equalised, i.e. all players have bet the same amount, each player is dealt their 3rd card face up.

5. 2nd Betting Round
The player with the highest 2 face up cards starts the betting. If the highest 2 cards are a pair, the player has bet at either the higher or the lower limit. If two players are tied, then the player with the highest suit starts the betting. Players can:

  • Check (if no one has raised, the player can keep their bet as it is)
  • Call
  • Raise
  • Fold

6. Fourth Street
Players are dealt their 4th card face up.

7. 3rd Betting Round
Betting starts the same as in the third street, but all bets are at the higher limit. The player with the highest hand showing starts the betting round.

8. Fifth Street
Players are dealt their 5th card face up.

9. Final Betting Round & Showdown
The player who started the betting in the previous betting round starts the betting in this round. Once betting has finished, the player who made the last raise shows their 5 card hand, the best five card hand wins the pot.

>> Get luckier at 5 Card Stud

Remember luck is a skill, and you'll find your luck improves when you take in some of the points below:

Since players have to show 4/5 of their cards, there's no real big secrets to playing 5 Card Stud poker aside from the common sense tips:

  • The single most important skill is keeping track of the cards on the table.

  • If you are aiming for a flush, remember that there are only 13 cards in a suit and you need 5 of them. So check that they aren't all held by your opponents.

  • If you are trying to compete a Straight, check to see if another Player displays the cards you need. You can then adjust your strategy accordingly

  • Fold if another player's up cards beat your entire hand.

  • Don't be reckless, fold when necessary. 5 Card Stud poker is a game of patience.