7 Card Stud Rules

7 Card Stud is the most popular of the stud poker games. Because of this, there are many spin offs of 7 card stud, including High Chicago, Low Chicago, and many other Stud Variants. I will discuss the basic 7 card stud rules and stick to the mainstream version of this popular poker game.

7 Card Stud Rules - Opening Play

The game of 7 card stud begins once the dealer deals out 3 cards to each player. The first two of these cards are pocket cards (face down) and the third card is dealt face up (open card). A round of betting commences, generally led by the player with the highest hand. This round of betting, according to traditional 7 card stud rules, is a low limit round.

7 Card Stud Rules - 4th, 5th, and 6th Street

The next card dealt is 4th street. There is a round of betting, following the same rules as above. The highest hand showing leads off, generally this is a player who has paired the board. If no player has a pair showing, then the highest card leads off.

Fifth Street is dealt and another round of betting occurs. According to traditional 7 card stud rules, this betting round and all bets after this one are at the higher limit.

Sixth Street is dealt, a round of betting occurs and then we move on to Seventh Street.

7 Card Stud Rules - 7th Street (the River)

The river is dealt as a pocket card, face down, and a final round of betting occurs. It is this pocket card on the river that always adds a bit of mystery to the game of 7 card stud and I believe it to be one of the most appealing factors of the game of 7 Card Stud.