Poker News: 7 Card Stud

Friday, December 09, 2005

7 Card Stud

Although surpassed in popularity by Texas Hold'em during the last 10 years, 7 Card Stud remains a favorite amongst home game players. In 7 Card Stud, players are dealt seven cards (three face down and four face up) throughout the course of the hand, but only the best five card hand possible for each player is used to determine the winner. Unlike Hold'em and Omaha, all cards are unique to each individual player and no community cards are used.

The game begins with each player posting an 'ante'. This is a small amount which varies depending on the size of the game.

Three cards are then dealt to each player, two cards face down which only the individual player can see, and one card face up which is visible to the entire table.

The player showing the lowest up-card must make a forced bet known as the 'bring-in'. As with the ante, the size of the bring-in varies depending on the game stakes.

After the action has been completed on the opening round of betting, each player remaining in the game is dealt a card face-up (fourth street).

Once the action has been completed, all remaining players are dealt a further card face-up (fifth street) and a new round of betting ensues (again with the highest hand showing starting the action).

The sixth card is the last card to be dealt face-up, and another round of betting follows.

The seventh and final card is dealt face down, so all players now have 3 face-down cards known only to themselves, and 4 face-up cards with which to make their final 5 card poker hand. After a final round of betting a showdown occurs (if necessary) to determine the winner.

7 Card Stud Tips
One of the keys to being successful at 7 Card Stud is to only play strong starting hands. We recommend playing starting hands that contain a pair of nines or better and also 3 card flushes, preferably with an Ace or a King. Do not be tempted to play mediocre starting hands. Even if it is cheap in the early rounds these mediocre hands can often cost you a lot of money in the later rounds.

You can play 7 Card Stud at Bet Royal Poker.

posted by Poker Player at 7 Card Stud

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