How to Play 7-Card Stud?
7 card stud can be played with up to 8 players, but in home games with low betting limits, where none of the players may fold until the end of the game, it is recommended to limit the number of players to 7 in order to avoid complicated situations when there are not enough cards in the deck.
7 card stud is started with dealing two downcards (called
hole cards) and one upcard (called
doorcard) to each player. With all players having 3 initial cards, the first betting round takes place. Each player may bet, raise or fold. When all players who want to fold do so, and others equalize the amount of their bets, a fourth upcard (called
fourth street) is dealt, and the second betting round begins. In the same manner, fifth and sixth cards are dealt face up and followed by betting rounds. The last seventh card is dealt face down and followed by the last betting round that ends with the showdown, where players reveal their hole cards and determine the winner.
Who Wins?
The winner is determined by the hand he has according to the type of the game played. Three major types of 7 card stud poker exist: High, Low and High-Low Split.
- 7 Card Stud High:
The player with the highest five card poker hand wins the game. On the first betting round, the player with the lowest showing card is usually required to start the game, making an opening bet. In the case of two or more players having cards of equal ranks, suit is used to break the tie. The highest suit is Spades, followed by Hearts, Diamonds and Clubs. On subsequent rounds the player with the highest poker hand upon his upcards starts the betting action. He is not forced to bet, but can perform any other allowed action, including check (keep his hand without betting any money). Ties do not break ties to determine the highest hand. If two or more players have cards of equal rank, the first player in clockwise direction from the dealer starts the betting round. - 7 Card Stud Low (Razz):
Opposite to the High type. The lowest five-card hand on the showdown wins the game. Aces are low. Straights and flushes are not counted, so A-2-3-4-5 is the lowest possible hand. First round is started by the player with the highest showing card, while all subsequent rounds are started by the player with the lowest poker hand upon his upcards. - 7 Card Stud Low-High Split:
The highest and the lowest hands win. If a player has an eight or lower upcard on the first round, he plays low, otherwise he plays high. As in 7 card stud high, the player with the lowest doorcard starts betting on the first round, and the player with the highest hand initiates subsequent rounds. Aces are considered high on the first round and may be used as low cards on the showdown. Straight and flushes do not affect low hands.
