7 Card Stud in 7 Steps

In the early days of poker, 7 Card Stud used to be the most popular variant of all poker games, and it was only the increasing popularity of Texas Hold’em in televised games that costed 7 Card Stud its throne. Nevertheless, 7 Card Stud is still a fun game to learn, and playing it can only add to your skills and experience.

Placing Your Antes

Similar to 5 Card Draw, 7 Card Stud requires every player on the table to place his ante or initial bet in the pot. How much you’ll be required to put down is pre-determined by table or house rules.

Dealing of Cards

If everyone’s done placing their ante, the dealer will then give each player three cards. Two of them will be dealt face-down while the last card will be revealed to the entire table. This is one of the several dissimilarities that 7 Card Stud has with other poker variants.

Bring-In Bets

The player with the lowest face-up card will have the responsibility of calling a bring-in bet. Again, similar to antes, rates for bring-in bets have already been pre-determined. But in contrast with antes, you are given the choice to bet the minimum amount required or you can bet up to the maximum amount allowed.

Even though it’s still early in the game, many players are already using the amounts of their bring-in bets for strategies. It is up to you to determine how much you’d want your bring-in bet to be.

Also, bear in mind that it is only during bring-in bets are called that the order of suits plays a significant role. Spades are the highest suit. Hearts are next, and they’re followed by diamonds and finally, clubs. Once the player with the lowest face-up card finishes placing his bring-in bet, other players on the table will then be asked whether they choose to call the bet, fold, or raise.

The Fourth Street in 7 Card Stud

Another face-up card is dealt to each player for the second betting round. And in contrast with the previous round, it is now the player with the highest face-up card that’s going to be the first to take action. As usual, he’ll be asked to either bet or check. The rest will be asked whether they wish to fold, bet, or raise.

Now, remember that every player has already two face-up cards on the table. If any of you is lucky enough to get a pair of face-up cards, you’ll be immediately given the option to complete the bet.

The Third Betting Round

Another face-up card is dealt. You now have three face-up cards on the table each and similar to the previous betting round, the player with the highest card will be first to take action. Betting amounts will be increased by this round.

The River

And finally, we reach the seventh street. This time, you’ll each be dealt with a face-down card. You now have seven cards in your disposal and you can start creating the best hand possible. You have three face-down cards so it’s still possible for you to make a surprise attack on your opponents.

The player with the best hand wins. And that signals the end of your introduction to 7 Card Stud. Hope you enjoy playing the game!

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