7 Card Stud Poker

>> 7 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
Before any cards are dealt, all players must ante. This is a small bet, between 10-25% of the lower limit on the table (tends to be a higher % on higher limit games), $0.50/$1.00 tables have no ante.

2. Cards Dealt
Each player is dealt three cards, one at a time, the first two are dealt face down and the third face up.

3. 1st Betting Round
The player showing the lowest card is forced to make a compulsory 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. Fourth Street
After betting has equalised, i.e. all players have bet the same amount, each player is dealt their 4th 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. Fifth Street
Players are dealt their 5th card face up.

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

8. Sixth Streets
Players are dealt their 6th card face up.

9. 4th Betting Round
Another round of betting takes place at the higher table limit. The player with the highest hand showing starts the betting round.

10. Seventh Street (The River)
Each player receives their 7th card face down.

11. 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 7 Card Stud

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

Card count
Look at all the players exposed cards, remember this game is played with a single deck so if you see a lot of cards which you would need to complete a strong hand then fold early on.

Fifth Street
In 7 Card Stud, fifth street is a decision time, as the betting limit increases, this is the time to fold a poor hand, especially against aggressive betting. If you stay in be sure you can play your hand out to the end.