Seven Card Stud Rules | 7 Card Stud Poker Rules

1. First Betting Round (Pre-Flop) – Before any cards are dealt, each player must place an ante in the pot.  The dealer then gives each player three cards, with two down and one up. The opening betting round begins with a forced bet from the player with the lowest card showing (this player can also open for a full bet). The action then moves to the left of this player, with each player having the option of folding, calling or completing the bet. If the stakes are $15-$30, the opening bet is $5, the completion bet is $15, and three raises in this amount are then allowed.

2. Second Betting Round (Fourth Street) – Each player is dealt a card face up. The high hand showing opens the action they may check, or put out a bring-in bet or a full bet. If the opening player checks, each subsequent player has the same betting options that were given to the original high player. Once again three raises are allowed in increments of the initial raise. 

3. Third Betting Round (Fifth Street) – Each player is dealt another card face up. The same betting format as fourth street applies, except the bring-in bet is now $15 and the completion bet is $30. Three raises are allowed in this amount.

4. Fourth Betting Round (Sixth Street) – Each player is dealt another card face up. The same betting format as fifth street applies.

5. Fifth Betting Round (The River) – Each player is dealt another card, only this time it is face down. The same betting format as sixth street applies.

6. Who Wins? The Showdown – Any players that have remained in the hand until the river must now show their hand. The bettor or last raiser must show first. The best five-card poker hand wins the pot. When two players have the same hand, the pot is divided evenly among them.