The Complete Rules of Seven-Card Stud

 

Seven-Card Stud is played both for the highest hand and as a H/L-version for the high and the low hand. The rules and the course of the game are the same, with small exceptions.

 

In Stud, each player is dealt three cards face down and four cards face up. All the cards are private. There are five betting rounds and at most eight players.

 

All the players have to post an ante, which is a fraction of a bet. In $10/20 games it can be $1 and in $1/2 games 25¢. In micro-limit online casino games there is usually no ante at all.

 

Each player is dealt two hole cards face down and one door card face up. The player with the lowest door card has to post the bring-in, which is bigger than the ante but smaller than a bet. If two players have the lowest card of the same rank, the suit determines the rank in following order: clubs, diamonds, hearts and spades. In other words, 2 is the lowest card in the deck. The next player can call the bring-in, bet a full bet or fold.

 

On the next round (4th street) a second card is dealt face up to each player. This time the player with the highest exposed hand speaks first. If two players have the highest card of the same rank, the suit determines the rank in following order: spades, hearts, diamonds and clubs. In other words, A is the highest card in the deck. He can check, bet or, if he has a pair face up, raise it to a double bet. Henceforth, possible reraises must be of the same size.

 

On the next round (5th street) each player is dealt a third card face up. Again, the player with the highest hand face up has to speak first. The value of the bets has doubled, e.g. in a $1/2 game the bets are now $2.

 

The last open card is dealt on the 6th street. As usually, the player with the highest exposed hand starts the betting. The last card (the river) is dealt face down. If there are several players in the pot after the last betting round, there is a showdown and the best five-card combination wins the pot.

 

 


Seven-Card Stud H/L

In Seven-Card Stud H/L, also known as Seven-Card Stud 8 or Better, the high and the low hand split the pot. A high hand will always exist, a low hand is sometimes not to be found. In that case, the high hand scoops the whole pot.

 

A low hand is composed of five unpaired cards from A to 8. The ace is the lowest card. Consequently, the best low hand is A-2-3-4-5. The ranking is determined by the highest card, if they are the same, the next highest etc. In other words, 3-4-5-6-7 is better (lower) than  A-2-3-4-8. A possible flush or straight won't make any difference in this context. On the other side, a flush or a straight can form the high hand, and the same player can claim the whole pot with the same cards.

 

Otherwise, the rules and the course of the game are the same as in the Hi-version. The only exception is, that the player with a pair face up is not allowed to double-up on the 4th street.

 

At first sight, the rules may seem to be quite complicated. Following some rounds behind experienced players or practicing "fun money" games will however illustrate more than any report. In online poker rooms, the program will present all the available options. There is no need to be afraid of fumbling.