How To Play 7 Card Stud

7 Card Stud poker is the Masters' Poker game. One of the most difficult poker games to learn it is ultimately a favorite among true poker enthusiasts.

One of the most important factors in playing 7 Card Stud is determining the betting limits. This will set the tone for the nature of the game, the expectations of the players at the table and the size of bankroll you will be required to have on hand.

The game begins when everyone antes up. The Ante is mandatory in Stud Poker and changes depending on the betting limits. Typically the ante is 10% of the betting limit established for the game. In higher stakes Stud poker it can be as high as 25% of the betting limit.

The game begins with the dealer dealing clockwise starting on their immediate left. One card at a time face down is dealt around the table until each player has 2 "Pocket Cards" and a single card face up which is referred to as the "Door Card". Now the dealer signifies who will open the betting, this is determined by the player holding the lowest "Door Card". If a tie for low door ensues the suit of the card will resolve it. (Spades over Hearts followed by Diamonds and finally Clubs as the lowest possible suit).

Once the initial cards are dealt the first betting round begins. These three cards per player are also known as the "Third Street".

The player who holds the lowest door card must "bring in" by opening with a bet equal to twice the ante. If the low door player decides to fold the opener passes to the next player on their immediate left. The next player may either call by matching the opening bet or raising the bet or fold. During the third street all bets and raises are fixed at the established low betting limit.

After this round of betting is completed the dealer gives each player another face up card. This round of betting is also known as the "Fourth Street" The person who begins this round of betting will be determined by the high hand of the open cards. This player may check, pass or bet. Betting again remains at the low limit and that fixes the raises in this round to the same amount. If the high open is a pair the player who holds the pair may open the bet at the upper limit and this fixes all bets and rises to the upper limit in this round.

Once again a card is dealt up and high hand opens. All bets and raises in this betting round are at the upper limit. This round of betting is known as the "Fifth Street".

The "Sixth Street" round is exactly the same as fifth street, another card dealt face up, opened by the high hand and betting and raising at the upper limits.

Finally the last and final card is dealt face down. This card is referred to as the "River Card". All bets and raises in the Seventh Street are at the upper limit.

Once all the bets and raises are completed the remaining players enter the "Showdown". The opener reveals his pocket cards. If a player wishes to compete with this hand they too reveal their cards. If not they may yield and muck their cards and the opener wins the pot.