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Seven Card Stud poker used to be the most popular version of poker played. In the seventies however, when Texas Hold ‘Em came onto the scene Seven Card Stud poker got pushed aside. Seven Card Stud poker is a much more intricate and detailed version of poker than Texas Hold ‘Em and is therefore slightly harder to get to grips with as a new player.
In a game of Seven Card Stud poker there can be between two and eight players. The betting consists of an initial ante and is then followed by five other betting rounds. The aim of the game is to use the seven cards each player is given in order to make the best five car poker hand.
To start the game, all players will place a bet known as the ‘ante’. After the ante, each player will be dealt three cards. Two of these are face down and are known as ‘hole cards’ but one is face up. This card is called the ‘door card’. Whichever player’s ‘door card’ has the lowest rank (an ace is counted as high in this situation) is then required to start the betting. The betting then continues clockwise, as will all betting rounds from here onwards. Players can choose to call the bet, raise, or fold. This round of betting is known as ‘Third Street.’
When the round of betting is over, a fourth card is dealt to each player who has not folded face up. The player who now has the highest combination of face up cards will begin the betting. He can check, bet, or fold. Once a bet has been placed by a player then the option to check is no longer available. On occasion, all players at the table may decide to check – this simply means that there is a round with no bets.
Players are then dealt another face up card each and another round of betting ensues. This round is known as ‘Fifth Street’. The minimum betting amount will double, usually making it match the highest limit in the game.
After the ‘Fifth Street’ round is over, players are dealt another card. Again, this card is dealt face up and another betting round known as ‘Sixth Street’ begins.
Any players still remaining in the game then receive their final card. This card is placed face down. Sometimes at this stage in the game there aren’t enough cards left in the deck to be able to deal each remaining player a card at this point. If this is the case, then a community card is dealt face up instead for all the players to be able to use.
The last round of betting then begins. This final round is known as ‘Seventh Street’ or more commonly the ‘River’. When the round of betting ends then any players who are still active in the game will reveal their hands. The player with the highest five card poker hand will win the round and pot!
As in most variations of poker, Seven Card Stud poker is a game of information. If you pay attention you may be able to memorise which exposed cards your opponents had before they folded. This means you have a better idea of what cards are still available and which ones have already gone – a skill you can use to your advantage!
Now you have a grasp on the basics why not try it out. We recomend the following sites to dip your toe in the water. Remember with rakeback you will get a fixed percentage of all rake you pay at these online poker rooms.
