Seven-Card Stud Set up and Play

Even if you're just now getting into the game, it's pretty easy to learn and set-up a game. Like any other poker game, you just need to get a group of up to eight players together and give it a try.

Differences between Seven-Card Stud and Hold'em

The first thing you'll need to know is the difference between Texas Hold'em and Seven-Card Stud if you're transitioning from that game.

In Seven-Card Stud there are five betting rounds instead of four as in Hold'em. The game is played with an ante instead of blinds, and in Stud there are no community cards.

The player's hands decide the order of action. On the first round of betting the player with the lowest card has to make a bring-in bet and on the later betting rounds the player with the best hand showing has to act first.

If you'd like to learn more about the basic rules, read our "Seven-Card Stud Rules" article.

Seven-Card Stud Basic Play

Each player is dealt two cards face down and then one card up to make their start hand. The cards are dealt one at a time to each player. The player with the lowest card showing has to make a bring-in bet.

In the above example, three players tied for the low card with fours. This is one of the few times that ranking of the suits is a factor in a poker game.

The suits are ranked from lowest to highest as Clubs, Diamonds, Hearts, Spades, so the lowest four on the board is the four of clubs.

This first round of betting continues clockwise with the player to the left of the bring-in.

The players still in the hand are then each dealt a fourth card, known as Fourth Street, face up. This time the action starts with the player with the best upcards and continues clockwise. This is how the betting will work after each card for the rest of the hand.

Then comes Fifth Street, a fifth card face up for each player still in the hand, followed by a round of betting. The sixth card, Sixth Street, is also dealt face up, followed by a round of betting.

The final card, Seventh Street, is dealt to the remaining players face down. The action begins once again with the player with the best upcards, and those still in then go to a showdown to see who made the best possible five-card poker hand.

The hand ranking is the same as every other poker game. The player with the best hand wins the pot, and another hand can begin.

View Best Rooms to Play: 7 Card Stud