Stud poker is any number of poker variants where each player is given a mixture of face-up and face-down cards dealt between multiple betting rounds. Stud Poker rules are typically limit based games where the initial bettor is based on strength of hand rather than position.
Seven Card Stud Poker Rules
All players begin by putting in an ante. Next, starting from his or her left, the dealer deals each player two cards face down and one card face up. The face down cards are called hole cards or pocket cards, which is where the phrase “Ace in the Hole” originates. The player with the lowest value card face-up initiates the betting. Afterwards, the betting continues to his or her left. Each player has the option of call, raise, or fold their cards.
Once the betting round is finished, a fourth card is dealt to each player face-up. Similar to Texas Hold ‘em, this card is nicknamed Fourth Street or The Turn. From this point on, the player with the best hand showing initiates the betting round. Next, the dealer deals the fifth card to each player, followed by more betting, then the sixth card and another round of betting. The final card is dealt face down, followed by the last round of betting.
When the final betting round ends, the players who have yet to fold reveal their hands. The player with the best five card hand wins. If there is a tie, the winning players split the proceeds from the pot.
Other Stud Poker Rules and Pot Limits
Stud poker can come in a number of different variants. In Five Card Stud, the first, second, and fifth cards are dealt face down. Other stud poker variants include high-low games, where the highest hand and the lowest qualifying hand are each awarded half the pot.
Most stud games have limits instituted on each round of betting. For example, a $10/$20 Seven Card Stud game will have a $10 limit on betting in the first round, with subsequent rounds having a limit of $20. Pot limit games will allow you to match the total amount in the pot after the first round. While the general stud poker rules never change, due to the number of variants, it’s important to know the minutiae of the game you are playing.