Card Stud

Once the most popular poker variant in the U.S., 7 Card Stud has lost ground quickly in popularity, as far as online poker is concerned. In brick and mortar casinos however, it is still right up there with the most popular games, and it often exceeds Omaha and Holdem in player-numbers.

Stud is not a community poker variant like Holdem or Omaha, and thus its play-structure is radically different as well.

The game begins with the dealer handing each player a hole card, starting on his left and going round in a clock-wise direction. This is followed by a second hole card, and then a door card. The door card is dealt face-up, and strategy-wise it is the most important card on the table at this stage.

Players need to pay attention to their opponents’ door cards, as they may define or even counterfeit the strength of their own two hole cards.

If you hold a pair (8s) and you see two other layers already display 8s as their door cards, the strength of your hand will suffer greatly. You’ll be left with no outs and thus with no chances to improve at all.

The opening is usually done by the player with the lowest door card (in case of a tie, suit is used to make the difference), except when the game is played with an ante. In that case, the player with the highest card begins betting and he can start with a raise right away.

Fourth street begins with the dealer giving each player another door card. Betting follows, then 5^th street.

Both 5^th and 6^th street are door cards (face up). The only other hole card will be dealt on 7^th street.

7^th street is followed by the last betting round and then showdown.

This game can be played with high hands, as well as with a hi-lo split.