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How to Play Seven Card Stud Poker

Seven Card Stud Poker

If you want to learn how to play poker, Seven Card Stud is a good place to start. There are just a few simple rules that you will need to be aware of before getting started. This is a very popular casino game, but it can be just as fun to play at home casually with some friends.

The Basics

Each player gets a total of seven cards to start. The objective of the game is to come up with the best five-card hand while you bet against every other player’s hand. You play with all 52 cards, with Aces high and twos low. Someone needs to act as the dealer. The first person who comes up with an Ace takes on this role for the game.

 

Hands

  • High card (the highest card always wins if no players have any pairs)
  • One pair
  • Two pair
  • Three of a kind
  • Straight (five consecutive cards of different suits)
  • Flush (five cards that are the same suit)
  • Full house (three of a kind plus a pair)
  • Four of a kind
  • Straight flush (five consecutive cards of same suit)
  • Royal Flush (ten through ace of same suit)

Placing Bets

After everyone has their cards, each player starts placing their bets. Most at-home games only have a bet amount of a couple dollars or so. The game then starts going through rounds.

Round One

The first round of this game consists of the dealer giving two-face down cards(Do Watch) to everyone who is playing, which are the “hole” cards. Every player then gets a card that is put face up, which is the “door” card.

Once everyone has their cards, players place their bets starting with the one who has the card with the lowest overall value. You have the option of folding your hand whenever you want, but you will lose your bet.

Round One

4th Street

Next, the dealer gives a fourth card that is put face up to any players who are still in the game. Betting begins with whichever player is holding the highest value hand.

5th Street

A fifth face up card is then given to all of the players still in the game. The player with the highest 5th street or highest value hand begins.

6th Street

A sixth face up card is given to any players still in the game. The person with the highest 6th street or hand begins the betting.

River

Lastly, a seventh card is given to any players still in the game. These players look at what they have and try to come up with the best five card hand with their seven cards. Once they have put together the hand, they put it on the table for everyone to see.

After this has been done, betting starts with whoever has the highest value hand. Next, the rest of the players show their hands. Whoever has the highest hand wins the pot.