Guide to Play 7 Card Stud Poker
Stud poker games are known for their specific playing style and poker rules that differ greatly from Draw and Community Card games. Most cards dealt to the players in these games are dealt face up, calling for a unique poker strategy. Although a total of seven cards are dealt to each player, only five of these cards compose the final hand. The objective of 7 Card Stud is to have the best 5-card hand at the game’s end.
The game begins with the paying of the ante. This contribution is required of all players at the beginning of each game. The size of the ante is determined by the amount of the table limit (also called stake). There are two stakes in each game, a small and a high stake. 7 Card Stud players can play poker as both a high stakes poker and a low stakes poker game.
The dealer then deals each player two cards face down and one card face up. The face down cards are called pocket cards and are private; the face up card is referred to as the “door card.” The player whose face up card has the lowest value begins the poker gambling with the “bring in,” half of the smallest stake amount. If he wants to, the player may increase the “bring in” bet to the full small stake amount. If two players share the same “door card” value, the player with the lowest value suit (in the descending order Spades, Hearts, Diamonds, Clubs) pays the “bring in.”
To remain in the game, each player must call (match) the “bring in” bet or fold and forfeit their hands. Following the “bring in,” the Fourth Street cards, one face up card for each player, are dealt. The player with the highest face-up, two-card total bets first. Bets can only be raised three times to a “cap” bet, and in the Fourth Street round the amounts of the bets and raises are limited to the small stake amount. Only players who have a pair of cards in this round may double the stakes and increase the bet.
Tags: 7 Card Stud Poker, Games, Stud Poker