7 card stud poker - Rules

In seven-card stud, although some low limit games require no ante, each player generally posts an ante prior to the cards being dealt. To begin the hand, each player is dealt two down-cards and one up-card.

It is then down to the player with the lowest up-card to start the first round betting. If more than one player has the same rank of low card then it is determined by the alphabetical order of the suit i.e., clubs first, followed by hearts, diamonds and spades.

The next player to the left of him now has three options. He may fold, call or raise. If the next player declines the opportunity to fold, he must call the amount or raise it.

The action then proceeds with the player holding the highest valued up-card initiating the betting. If two players’ up-cards are equal in value, the player to the left of the dealer initiates the betting.

All players in the hand then receive three more up-cards plus a final card face down, with a betting round after each card is dealt. It is up to the owner of the highest valued up-cards to begin the betting. If two players share the same ranking up-card, the player to the left of the dealer initiates the betting.

The player who makes the best five-card hand from the seven cards he possesses wins the pot.