Seven card stud rules

In Seven Card Stud (the most common form of poker), players receive seven cards, three "down" cards and four "up" cards. Your "hand" is determined by using the best five of seven cards and the best hand wins the pot. Click here to see the Rank of Hands. (The pot may also be won by someone betting and no one calling prior to getting seven cards.)

There are five betting rounds in Seven Card Stud. One bet and three raises are allowed on each betting round. To continue the game, players should call all actions to them on each "Street" or betting round.

The procedure for Seven Card Stud:

Everyone "antes" (puts a predetermined amount in the pot before the cards are dealt).

• Each player is dealt three cards (two "down" cards and one "up" card). This "up" card is also known as the "door card" or "Third Street".
• The lowest "up" card must initiate the action with a "Bring-In" bet. (If two or more players have the same lowest card, the person who brings it in is determined by suit order progressing from clubs, diamonds, hearts, and spades). "Third Street" is the first round of betting. Please note: If you are the low card and are "timed out" (do not act in your allotted amount of time), you are forced to bring it in for the minimum and you are automatically folded on your next action (whether it is 3rd street or 4th street and whether you or not you get back to the table at the time to act).
• Another card is dealt face-up. This is "Fourth Street" (the second round of betting). From "Fourth Street" on, the highest hand showing begins the action by checking or betting. (If a pair is showing on "Fourth Street", players have the option to make a single or double bet. If you wish to raise and your opponent makes a single bet, you may raise a single or double bet. If your opponent makes a double bet and you wish to raise, you may raise an equal amount only.)
• Another card is dealt face-up. This is called "Fifth Street" (the third round of betting - which doubles - and continues at this amount for the remaining betting rounds).
• Another card is dealt face-up. This is "Sixth Street" (fourth betting round).
• The final card is dealt down. The last card is also known as the "River Card" or "Seventh Street" (final round of betting).
• Upon completion of the final round of betting, the best hand wins the pot.

Note: The antes, bring-ins, and betting limits are determined by the size of the game.