How to Play 7-Card Stud

Goal

Just like any other poker game, the goal of 7-Card Stud is to win the pot and as many chips as possible.

Players

7-Card Stud can be played with 2-8 players.

Poker Hands From Weakest to Highest

High Card/No Pair – If no player has any of the following hands, the player with the highest-ranking card wins.
One pair – Two cards of the same value. For example, two Queens.
Two pair – Two sets of pairs, such as two 3s and two Jacks.
Three of a Kind – Three cards of the same value, like three 10s.
Straight – Five consecutive cards of the same suit, such as 6-7-8-9-10. Aces can be sed high (10-J-Q-K-A) or low (A-2-3-4-5)
Flush – Five cards of the same suit, but not in consecutive order.
Full House – A combination of three of a kind and one pair, such as three 4s and two Kings.
Four of a Kind – Four cards of the same value, like four 6s.
Straight Flush – Five consecutive cards of the same suit.
Royal Flush – A Straight Flush of 10-J-Q-K-A. This is the strongest possible hand in poker.

The Play

Ante

Before each hand begins, all players must place an initial bet called the “ante.” The ante is a small, predetermined amount contributed by each player into the pot.

The Deal

The hand starts with each player being dealt three cards. The first two cards are dealt face down, and the third card is dealt face up.

Bring-In

The player with the lowest face-up card is required to make a forced bet called the “bring-in.”

First Betting Round

Starting with the player to the left of the bring-in, each player has the option to call (match the bring-in), raise (increase the bet), or fold (discard their hand and forfeit any bets made). The betting continues clockwise.

Fourth Street

After the first betting round, the dealer deals another face-up card to each remaining player. This card is called “fourth street” or “the turn.”

Second Betting Round

Another betting round begins with the player showing the highest-ranking hand from the two face-up cards. This player has the option to check or bet. Again, betting continues clockwise.

Fifth Street

The dealer deals a third face-up card called the “fifth street” or “the river.”

Third Betting Round

Another betting round starts with the player showing the highest-ranking hand from the three face-up cards.

Sixth Street

The dealer deals a fourth face-up card known as the “sixth street” or “the turn.”

Fourth Betting Round

A fourth betting round begins with the player showing the highest-ranking hand from the four face-up cards.

Seventh Street

The dealer deals a fifth and final card face down. This card is known as “seventh street” or “the river.”

Final Betting Round

A final betting round starts with the player showing the highest-ranking hand from the five face-up cards.

Showdown

If two or more players remain after the final betting round, a showdown occurs. Players reveal their concealed cards, and the player with the best 5-card hand (using any combination of their face-up and face-down cards) wins.

New Hand

The person to the left of the dealer becomes the new dealer for the next hand. The game continues until players decide to stop or a predetermined number of hands are played.