The Rules of Five and Seven Card Stud Poker
Before the surge in popularity of Texas Hold’Em Poker, Five and Seven card stud were the most popular poker games played in the US. Each game is played with similar rules and just a few variations. Once you know how to play Five Card Stud Poker, it is very easy to pick up Seven Card Stud Poker.
Five Card Stud Poker begins with each player being dealt two cards – one will be placed face down and the other face up. Cards will always be dealt in a clockwise fashion, starting with the player to the left of the dealer. The betting will begin with the player who has the highest playing card shown. If two players happen to have the same number value card showing, betting will begin with the player closest to the dealer’s left side. Each player can choose to raise the bet or fold their hand.
After betting has commenced, the dealer will discard the top card of the deck. The dealer then deals one more card to each player and this card will be placed face up. Betting will then begin once again. In this round, whoever has the best poker hand showing will start the bets. Because there are only two cards showing, only pairs will be considered. Play will continue in this manner until each player has five cards. After the last bet is played, all players must show their hand and the player with the best poker hand wins.
Seven Card Stud Poker is played in a very similar manner, except there are five times in which the dealer will deal cards. On the first round, the dealer will deal not one card face down but two. Everyone should have two face down cards and one face up after the first deal. Betting is done in the same manner as in Five Card Stud Poker. On the next three rounds, each player will be dealt one card face up and betting will be done between each round.
On the fifth and final round, each player will be dealt one last card face down on the table. At this point, the players will disclose to all what cards they have. A hand will be made from the seven cards that were dealt, but only five of the cards will be used. It is at each player’s discretion which cards they will use of the seven. The player with the highest ranking poker hand will take the jackpot.
Both poker games can be a lot of fun to play. Some people choose to rotate between both types of poker while playing. For example, players may enjoy three hands of Five Card and then switch to a few rounds of Seven Card poker. Both games can be played with as few as two players or up to eight. There are also many variations of the game that have been created over the years. Some people like to make their own rules to add a little excitement, which is fine for private games, but expect casinos to play with this standard set of rules.