SEVEN-CARD FLIP

Overview

Seven-Card Flip is a 7-card stud variant where players receive four cards face-down to start, then choose two to expose before the first betting round. The player with the best two-card exposed board acts first in the betting.

Ante

All players post a small ante to start the hand.

The Deal

Seven-Card Flip begins differently from standard stud:

• Initial deal: All players receive four cards face-down
• The Flip: Each player chooses two of their four cards to expose (flip face-up)
• Best Board Acts First: The player with the best two-card exposed board acts first. If any player's exposed board is a pair, a double bet is available.
• Fifth Street: One card face-up to each player
• Sixth Street: One card face-up to each player
• Seventh Street: One card face-down to each player

Betting Rounds

1. After the flip (two cards exposed per player)
2. After fifth street
3. After sixth street
4. After seventh street

Double Bet Rule

Seven-Card Flip is played fixed limit with a small bet and a big bet worth double (e.g. $2 / $4). The flip round — when players hold four cards, like fourth street in regular Stud — uses the small bet; fifth, sixth, and seventh streets use the big bet. The exception: if any player's exposed two-card board is a pair, a big-bet ($4) open is allowed on the flip round (the same open-pair option regular Stud gives on fourth street). This adds an extra layer of strategy to which cards you choose to expose.

The Showdown

Best five-card poker hand from all seven cards wins.

Strategy Tips

• Choose carefully which two cards to expose — you reveal information but also signal strength
• Exposing a pair triggers the double-bet option; exposing two suited or connected cards baits opponents into calling
• Watch opponents' exposed boards closely — they reveal drawing potential
• The "best board acts first" rule can be a positional advantage or a tell depending on what you show