How to play 7 card stud poker

Up to eight players may play in a A 7-Card Stud poker game. There is a possibility that there will not be enough cards if all eight players make it to the end of the game, especially if the dealer discards a card prior to dealing to the active players. In such a scenario, the dealer turns a "community" card (a card that all active players can use) instead of dealing a card to each of the active players .

Before the dealing starts, each player places an ante into the pot and then receives two down cards (hole cards) and one face up card. The player with the lowest face up card (an ace is high in this situation) is required to start the betting action with an initial bet called the "bring-in." The bring-in must be at least the required minimum amount agreed upon before the game (or as per the online poker rooms terms). Play continues to the left and each player can either call (to equal the previous opponent's bet), raise (to bet higher than the previous opponent), or fold (to leave the game). For example, if a player thought he had a strong hand and a good chance of winning the round, he would raise the bet in an attempt to generate a larger pot.

After all betting is completed, a fourth card is dealt face up to each player who is still active in the round (i.e. has not folded). From this point on, the player with the highest hand showing starts the action. For example, if the high hand (not counting the hole cards) is a pair after the fourth card is dealt, the player with this pair must either check (to decline to bet or to pass when it is your turn to act), bet, or fold. Because there is no bring-in requirement after the first betting round, players do not need to fold until there is a bet. Once there is a bet, players left in the game, in turn, must call, raise, or fold. It is possible for players to check around the table, thus having a round with no bets.

A fifth card is dealt face up followed by a betting round, and then a sixth card is dealt face up followed by another round of betting. The seventh card is dealt to each player face down, and the final round of betting starts. These rounds of play are usually called a ‘streets’ (the third card is called third street, the fourth card is called fourth street, and so on through seventh street). The ‘Showdown’ is where the player with the best hand wins.

Successful 7-Card Stud players usually have such success because of having a great memory. To remember what cards your opponents were showing before they folded can be a great asset to this game. It is important because players need to know what cards are still out there that can help them and which ones are already gone. Other important factors for players of this game include being able to ‘read’ players, hands, and betting patterns, as well as determining the pot odds (the odds of winning the pot) and starting hand selection (which starting hands are worth playing or folding).

The best starting hand is two aces in the hole and an ace showing, followed by other three-of-a-kind hands. High pairs with one card showing, especially if it is the highest card showing, are also strong starting hands. Hands with strong flush and straight possibilities are also good starting hands.

7-Card Stud is played in both ‘high only’ version (meaning the highest hand wins) as well as high-low (often called hi-lo) meaning that the highest hand splits the winnings with the lowest hand.

Now that you have learnt the basics of how to play 7 card stud poker, try your luck at the Poker Plex tables!