Seven Card Stud Rules
A Stud poker game is characterized by having one or more face up cards for each player. Stud games typically have the following betting limits: $2-$4, $8-$16, or $10-$20. The first amount is the low limit and the second amount is the upper limit. We'll use a $10-$20 game as the example throughout these rules.
The standard minimum buy-in for a stud game is 10 times the low limit of the game ($100 for a $10-$20 game).
Ante for each game is usually 10% of the low limit of the game (Ante is $1 for a $10-$20 game).
Third Street
A game starts with the dealer dealing clockwise starting on their left. One card at a time is dealt to each player at the table, with each player being dealt two downcards (pocket cards) and one upcard (the �doorcard�). The three cards now on the table for each player is called �Third Street�.
The first round of betting starts with the player with the lowest doorcard (suit will settle any ties: spades (highest suit), over hearts, over diamonds, over clubs (lowest suit)). The player with the lowest doorcard has the option of staying in the game by opening with a bet equal to twice the ante ($2) or folding if they don't want to stay in the game. If this player folds, the player to their left has the option of making an opening bet or folding. This continues clockwise until a player makes an opening bet. After an opening bet is made, the next player clockwise has three options: call by matching the opening bet ($2), raise by betting the low betting limit ($10), or fold. These options continue around the table for all remaining players. Throughout Third Street, bets can not exceed the low betting limit ($10).
Fourth Street
Each player is dealt another upcard (open card). The opening bet in Fourth Street, and for the rest of the rounds of betting in the game, comes from the player with the high hand determined by the upcards. The opener has the option to pass (check) or bet. If the opener chooses to bet, they can bet the low limit ($10), which then fixes all raises in this round of betting to the same amount ($10). One betting exception in Fourth Street is that if they opener has an open pair, they can bet the upper limit ($20), which then fixes all betting in this round to the same amount ($20).
Fifth Street
Each player is dealt another upcard and the high hand has the option to fold, bet, or raise. All bets and raises are at the upper limit ($20).
Sixth Street
Each player is dealt another upcard and the high hand has the option to fold, bet, or raise. All bets and raises are at the upper limit ($20).
Seventh Street
The last card (the �River�) is dealt face down to each remaining player and all bets and raises are at the high limit ($20).
Showdown
After all Seventh Street bets and raises have been made, the players now enter the Showdown. In the Showdown, the opener (determined by highest upcards) reveals his pocket cards. All other remaining players have the option to show their hands to compete with the opener's hand, or fold (muck out). Every player has the right to request to see any folded hands.
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