Seven-card stud poker is one of the most traditional and well-loved forms of poker, with a rich history dating back to the early days of the game. In this article, we will delve into the rules and strategies of seven-card stud, as well as its variations, including Razz and Seven-Card Stud High-Low.
The Basics
In seven-card stud, play begins with the dealer burning a card from the deck and dealing three cards to each player. The first two cards are dealt face down, while the third card is dealt face up, known as Third Street. This initial round of betting starts with the player who has the lowest upcard after the third street is dealt, who must bring in the bet with at least the low bet limit at the table.
The Rounds
Once the first round of betting is complete, the dealer deals another round of cards to players, face up, known as Fourth Street. The order of betting is determined by the player showing the high exposed hand, and the game continues in a clockwise fashion around the table.
There are two more rounds of dealing an exposed card to each player, followed by a round of betting, referred to as Fifth Street and Sixth Street. The final round of dealing commences with players being given a seventh card face down on the table, known as the River. This is followed by another round of betting, starting with the player showing the high hand.
The Showdown
After the final round of betting, the "Showdown" begins, where the player with the high hand showing reveals first, unless there was no betting in the final round. The rest of the players reveal their cards in a clockwise fashion from the first player to show his cards. Any remaining players can choose to either reveal their cards or "muck" their hand, pushing the cards in and folding their hand without revealing it.
The best five-card poker hand among those revealed wins the pot.
Situational Rules and Tips
In most casino games, seven-card stud is played with an ante, where any player at the table must pay the ante before the deal begins. The ante varies depending on the stakes at the table. In home games, the ante may be passed over.
Seven-card stud is generally a high hand wins game, but there are variations where the low hand is the winner (Razz) or where the pot is split between the high and low hands (High-Low). The standard rules of play remain the same in these games, but strategy in betting will change significantly, so play wisely.
When there are eight players in a seven-card stud game, and everyone remains in the hand until the River, there may not be enough cards to deal to the table with a single deck. In this case, the dealer turns a single community card up as the River, and players share this last card to finalize their hands.
In the event of a tie with the high hands to begin a round of betting, ties are broken by position nearest the dealer.
Seven-card stud poker is a timeless classic that offers endless entertainment and strategy. Whether you're a seasoned pro or a beginner, understanding the rules and situational variations will help you navigate the game like a pro. So, gather your friends, deal out the cards, and experience the thrill of seven-card stud for yourself!
References
- Morehead, Albert H.; Mott-Smith, Geoffrey (1963). Hoyle's Rules of Games. New American Library. pp. 86.
- Clark, Bryan (September 2006). "The Dying Days of Las Vegas 1-5 Stud". Two Plus Two Publishing. Archived from the original on November 23, 2006. Retrieved October 4, 2006.
Related Articles
- How to Play Poker: A Beginner's Guide
- The Ultimate Guide to Texas Hold'em Poker