Seven Card Stud Rules

The Antes

Before starting each hand, every player must ante up a small amount of money – usually about 10% of the small bet. Here’s a sample of some common ante structures:

Stakes	Ante
$.05/$.10	1 cent
$.25-$.50	5 cents
$.50-$1.00	5 cents
$1-$2	10 cents
$2-$4	25 cents
$4-$8	50 cents
$8-$16	75 cents
$15-$30	$1.50
$40-$80	$5.00

Third Street

After the antes are posted, each player is dealt two cards face down and one card face up. The player with the lowest showing card must pay the “bring-in” which is a forced bet of half the small bet.

For example, in a $4-$8 stud game, the bring-in would usually be $2. If this player so chooses, he may bet the full small bet amount ($4 in our example).

The action then moves to the player to the left of the bring-in. This player may either call the bring-in amount or raise it to the small bet amount ($4 again). Once a player raises, all other players must either match this amount, re-raise or fold. The play continues around until all players have either folded or called all the bets.

*Note – if two players tie for the lowest card, the lowest card is determined by order of suit. The suits are ranked with clubs being the lowest, then diamonds, then hearts, and ending with spades being the highest.

Fourth Street

Each player is dealt another card face up and another round of betting begins. This time the action starts with which ever player is showing the highest two card poker hand.

The person with the highest showing hand may either check or bet the small amount ($4 continuing our example). The play continues to the left with each player either checking or betting. Once a player bets the rest of the players must call the bet, raise it, or fold. The action closes once all bets have been called or hands folded.

Fifth Street

Each player is dealt another card face up and again the action begins with the player who is showing the highest hand on board. On fifth street the betting sizes double (to $8 in our example). Other than the bet sizes, this round is played exactly the same as the last round.

Sixth Street

Each player is dealt another card face up and, just like on fifth street, the action begins with the player who is showing the highest hand on board. The betting continues just as it was on fifth street.

Seventh Street

For the final street, each player is dealt his or her last card face down. The player with the highest showing hand acts first once again.

Showdown

After the final betting is finished, the last player to have made a bet or raise will turn his cards face up first and show his final hand. The players then show their hands, one at a time, moving to the left.

The player with the best five card poker hand using any of the seven cards in his hand wins the pot. Now that you know the game, check out our seven card stud strategy section to learn tips and tricks for winning.

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