7-Card Stud Rules

The game of 7-Card Stud has been enjoying popularity for quite some time now. It is played in land-based gaming venues as well as over the Internet. As is the case with other prominent poker variations, 7-Card Stud's history is highly disputed. Some say that the game first emerged during the American Civil War and was front-line troops' favorite poker game.

7-Card Stud was the most popular poker game from the 1850's through the 1970's when another poker variation, Texas Hold 'em, took over the coveted role. Although today, Texas Hold 'em is indeed the most played poker variation of all, 7-Card Stud has its following as well.

The rules of 7-Card Stud, whether its an offline or online poker game, are not difficult to master. All you need to do is concentrate and be careful. 7-Card Stud allows up to eight players at the poker table. There are five rounds of betting in this game. Each active participant is dealt three unexposed cards and four exposed ones. The game requires all players to put an ante before any cards are dealt. Normally, the ante is equal to 10% of the small bet.

After the antes have been made, each player receives two unexposed cards and one exposed card into his pocket. The player with the weakest face up card is to open the betting round. He must place a bet of either 50% of the lower limit or 100%. This bet is called the bring-in. In a game of $2-$4, the bring-in player must contribute either $1 or $2 to the pot.

It is important to remember that all bets and raises made during the first two rounds of betting are set according to the lower value of the game's limit. After the first betting round, which is opened by a player with the lowest exposed card, all subsequent rounds of betting are kicked off by the player with the strongest card/ hand.

After the first betting round is over, each player receives a fourth card which is placed face up. All bets and raises during the last three rounds of betting are set according to the higher value of the game's limit. Before the third and fourth betting rounds, all active players are dealt another face up card. Before the final betting round, another card is dealt, this time face down.

The fifth betting round brings the game to its end. Players must now reveal their hands and establish the winner. A player with the strongest hand takes the pot. Although the game of 7-Card Stud is pretty easy to master, with so many cards being exposed winning is not an easy task!