SEVEN-CARD STUD

Overview

Seven-Card Stud is a poker variant where players receive seven cards total, some face-up and some face-down. There are no community cards - each player has their own unique cards.

Ante & Bring-In

Seven-Card Stud has no blinds. Most games use an ante — a small forced bet every player posts before the deal to seed the pot (some casino games skip it). The real action-opener, though, is the bring-in.

After the first three cards are dealt, the player showing the lowest door card (upcard) is forced to open the betting with the bring-in — a small mandatory bet. If two players tie for lowest, suit order breaks it (clubs, diamonds, hearts, spades — lowest to highest).

The bring-in works together with completion:

• The forced player can post just the bring-in (a fraction of the small bet), or complete it — raise it up to the full small bet.
• Going around the table, each player may fold, call the bring-in, complete it to the full small bet (if no one has yet), or raise.
• Once the bet has been completed, all further raises are in full small-bet increments (through fourth street), then big-bet increments from fifth street on.

The Deal

You receive seven cards across five streets. The face-up / face-down pattern, card by card:

• Third Street — hole card: face DOWN
• Third Street — hole card: face DOWN
• Third Street — door card: face UP
• Fourth Street: face UP
• Fifth Street: face UP
• Sixth Street: face UP
• Seventh Street: face DOWN

Betting Rounds

1. After third street (two down, one up)
2. After fourth street (fourth card up)
3. After fifth street (fifth card up)
4. After sixth street (sixth card up)
5. After seventh street (seventh card down)

Betting Limits — Small & Big Bets

Seven-Card Stud is usually played fixed limit, with a small bet and a big bet worth double the small bet (e.g. $2 / $4). Small bets are used on third and fourth street; big bets are used on fifth, sixth and seventh street.

Open-pair exception on fourth street: if any player is showing a pair in their face-up cards on fourth street, every player then has the option to bet either the small bet or the big bet for that round.

Third Street Betting

The player with the LOWEST visible card is forced to post the bring-in, opening the action. From there betting moves around the table (call, complete/raise, or fold) as described above.

Fourth Street Through Seventh Street

The player with the HIGHEST visible hand starts the betting.

The Showdown

At showdown, each player uses their best five cards from their seven cards to make a poker hand.

Hand Rankings

Standard poker hand rankings apply. Players make the best five-card hand from their seven cards.

Key Features

• You can see some of your opponents' cards
• More information than Hold'em
• Position changes throughout the hand (determined by visible cards)
• Starting hand selection is critical

Strategy Tips

• Pay attention to which cards are already out (use your visible cards and opponents' upcards)
• Pairs and three-of-a-kind are powerful starting hands
• Three suited cards starting out can lead to a flush
• Watch for straights - keep track of sequence cards
• If your upcards are weak, opponents may pressure you