7 Card Stud
Before Hold em became one
of the most popular poker
game, Stud Hi (also called
Seven-Card stud), was what
you played when poker night
came around. One part skill,
one part memory, one part
strategy, no parts boring.
Before the initial deal
of the cards, each player
must place the blind bets.
Each player is dealt
three cards, two face-down
("hole cards or private
cards") and one face-up
called the ("up card or door
card").
The first betting round
will start with the player
with the lowest card by
value and suit. This is
known as the "force" or
"bring-in" bet. This is the
only time suits will play a
role in the game.
Now each player is dealt
another card face-up called
the "Fourth Street".
The second betting round
will start with the player
with the highest two-card
value. This is known as
"having the action".
If there is a hand tie
between players then the
player with the highest
valued hand and sitting
closest to the left of the
dealer will have the action.
Each player is again
dealt another card face-up
called the "Fifth Street".
The third betting round will
start with the player with
the highest three-card
value.
Each player is again
dealt another card face-up
called the "Sixth Street".
The fourth betting round
will start with the player
with the highest four-card
value.
Now the seventh and final
card called the "River" will
be dealt face-down to all
the players and the fifth
and the final betting round
starts with the player with
the highest valued hand.
Occasionally if there are
not enough cards left to
give each player their final
seventh card, the river. In
this case one community card
will be placed, face-up, in
the center of the table and
will be shared by all the
players.
After the final and fifth
round of betting it's time
for showdown and the player
with the highest hand using
any combination of five of
their seven total cards wins
the pot. The dealer button
moves to the next player to
play the next hand.
