Perhaps the best-known and admired game in the world, Seven Card Stud is the classic poker game that sets the bar in terms of mastery of skill level among poker players. In Seven Card Stud, each player is dealt seven cards during the course of the hand, but in order to win, a player must create the best hand using only five cards.

Before a game of Seven Card Stud begins, each player must post an ante based on a set amount. All players are then dealt two cards face-down (“hole cards”) and a third card face-up. The player with the lowest card showing is determined as the "bring-in" and must bet either half of the small bet or the full small bet (either $1 or $2 in a $2/$4 game). The action proceeds around the table in a clockwise fashion until betting has concluded.

In the event of a tie in card rank during the bring-in, ties are broken by the suit. The order is as follows: spades, hearts, diamonds and clubs (in descending order).

Each player is dealt another card face-up, also known as "Fourth Street.” Whoever has the card with the highest poker value on Fourth Street gets to act first. This player has the option to either check or bet. If there are no pairs showing amongst any of the players’ exhibited cards, the bet will be small (for example $2 in a $2/$4 game). If a player shows a pair, the betting can be big ($4 in a $2/$4 game).

All active players are dealt another card face-up entitled “Fifth Street.” Once again, the player with the highest poker value showing among his face-up cards is the first one to act.

The betting on Fifth Street and onward is done in big increments (for example, $4 in a $2/$4 game).

Another card is dealt to each player face-up called "Sixth Street.” Once again, the player with the highest poker value showing among his exhibited cards is the first one to act.

A seventh and final card is dealt to each player. This last card is dealt face-down so that its value is only known to the player receiving it. The player with the highest poker value showing among his face-up cards is the first one to act.

If more than one player remains upon completion of the final betting round, the last player to bet or raise shows his cards. If no betting occurred during the final round, the player showing the highest value among his exposed cards reveals his cards first.

The player with the best five-card hand wins the pot. If players share the same winning hand then the pot is split equally amongst them.

Once the winning player has collected his pot, a new game of Seven Card Stud may begin.

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If you are interested in learning the rules to other poker games, visit our Poker Rules section to learn how to play games like Texas Holdem and Omaha.