How to play 7-Card Stud
By: Chris Iaquinta
Last time we should you how to play Razz, a fairly unpopular poker game when compared to Texas Hold’em, so this time you’re going to be introduced to 7-Card Stud, a game that prior to the poker boom a few years ago was almost neck and neck in terms of popularity with Hold’em.
The most important thing to know with 7-Card Stud is that you will get 7 cards to pick from in order to make your final 5 card hand. You don’t have to use any specific ones out of the 7 that you’re dealt, just whichever 5 cards give you the highest hand.
Here’s how it breaks down:
1. All players put in an ante.
2. Starting to their left, the dealer will deal each player two cards down (these are called hole or pocket cards) and then one card face-up.
3. Everyone looks at their hole cards.
4. The player that has the lowest card showing face-up will have to put in a small bet which is called a “bring in.” Betting then continues to that player’s left. Each player can raise, call, or fold their cards.
5. When the betting is completed, another card is to be dealt to each player face-up. This card is known as “fourth street” or alternatively “the turn.”
6. Another round of betting now occurs, starting with the player that has the highest cards showing. From “fourth street” onwards, the player that has the highest cards showing will continue onwards as to be the first to bet.
7. Once betting is complete, the fifth card (also known as “fifth street” or “the river”) is to be dealt face-up. More betting now occurs, and then the sixth card is dealt face up. This is followed by more betting.
8. The 7th and final card is to be dealt face-down to those players that are remaining in the hand. A final round of betting now occurs.
9. The players will show their hands at the showdown. The player who is able to make the best five-card hand from the original seven they were dealt, wins.
