Stud Poker: What is it and How to Play

There are quite a few poker games online that you can find. In this post, we shall learn about the 7 card stud poker and how you can play it. We will also gather some expert tips about the game. 

The game of stud poker is said to have originated sometime around the American Civil War. It gained popularity in Mississippi and New Orleans when conmen convinced tourists to bet money on riverboats. Since the tourists didn’t understand the game, they would inevitably lose. 

What is Stud Poker? 

In simple terms, stud poker is a game wherein all the players involved have some cards face up, and some cards face down. The face-down cards are known as “cards in the hole”. These can be seen only by the players that hold them. 

In 7 stud poker, each player has about 3 cards face-down and 4 cards face-up. In 5 stud poker, each player has about 1 card face-down and 4 cards face-up.

Now, let’s talk about how stud poker is different from other games like Omaha hi-lo, Texas Hold ‘Em, etc. below. 

Key Differences Between Stud Poker and Other Poker Games

Continue reading to learn more about the same.

Stud Poker vs Texas Hold’em Poker

One of the major differences between the game of 5-card poker or 7-stud poker and Texas Hold’em poker is that you can easily guess the cards that are faced down or hidden by the other players and see the shared community cards that are dealt across the table. 

On the other hand, all players receive 7 individual cards, some of which are face-up, which makes having a good memory necessary. 

Some other points that makes stud poker differ from Texas Hold’em poker is that players place blind bets in this game, which forces others to start the action, whereas in 7-card stud poker, all players buy into the game with each hand they play. 

Apart from that, you need to have good hand-reading skills, position-mapping abilities and the capacity to turn the tide with limited information. On the other hand, when it comes to 7-stud poker or 5-card poker, you need to have a good memory. 

Read for more info: All About No-Limit Texas Hold’em Poker | A23 

Stud Poker vs Omaha

Players are dealt about 4 cards in the hole or 4 face down, and 5 community cards or shared in Omaha poker, whereas stud poker players receive two face-down cards, four face-up cards, and one final face-down card.

Apart from that, stud poker players create a hand of 5 or 7 strong hands, to win, while Omaha players combine 2 face down or hole cards with 3 shared or community cards to create a 5-card winning draw. 

Furthermore, you need a more strategic mindset to play 7 stud poker or 5 card stud poker, as compared to Omaha.

Read for more info: All About Pot Limit Omaha Poker | A23 

How to Play Stud Poker

Now, let us understand the 7 card poker rules in the sections below. 

You can play this game with a maximum of 9 players, though it is generally played with a group of 2-8 players. As previously mentioned, each player receives about 7 cards throughout each of the 3 rounds of the game.

The face-up cards refer to the cards that all players can see, wherein the faces are the sides with the numbers and related shapes. 

These include: 

• Diamonds
• Spades
• Clubs
• Hearts. 

On the other hand, the face-down cards are the ones, whose faces are inverted. This means players can only see the design of the card. 

So, at the beginning of the game, before the 1st round of betting, each player is dealt the following: 

• 2 face-down cards
• 1 face-up card
• 3 more face-up cards 

The above are for each round of betting. The player is also dealt 1 more face-down card. 

After the final round of betting, players who have the best 7 stud poker hand win.

Playing a Hand

As per the rules, you first have to pay a nominal amount to be a part of the game. After that, the other cards are dealt in the following manner: 

• 3 cards
• 2 face-down cards 
• 1 face-up card

Following this step, the player with the lowest face-down card value places the 1st bet.  After that, the dealer gives about 3 more face-up cards to the players who remain in their respective hands. 

Then the dealer will deal the final face-down card, known as the river card. This will commence the final betting round.

If more than 2 players still remain after the final round, a showdown takes place. After this, the player with the strongest combination of 5 cards wins the reward.

Poker Hands and Their Rankings in Stud Poker

The different types of poker hands in 7 stud poker after the end of a game are:

• Royal Flush
• Straight Flush
• Four-of-a-kind
• Full House
• Flush
• Straight
• Three-of-a-Kind
• Two Pair
• One Pair
• High Card.

Royal Flush

This combination contains a No 10, Jack, Queen, King, and Ace, which belong to the same suit (hearts, clubs, spades, or diamonds).

Straight Flush

A straight flush contains 5 cards, belonging to the same suit. 

Four-of-a-kind.

This combination refers to a suit of cards that have the card with the same number.

Full House

A full house refers to a pair of cards of one kind along with 3 cards of another kind. 

Flush

A combination of 5 cards that belong to the same suit is referred to as a flush.

Straight

A combination of five cards in numerical order refers to a straight hand.

Three-of-a-Kind

It is a combination of 3 cards with the same denomination (king, queen, joker, etc.) along with 2 cards that are not a pair.

Two Pair

When you get 2 cards of the same type, in different pairs, it is known as a Two Pair. 

One Pair

This combination has a single pair of the same card.

High Card

A High Card refers to a card that is ranked high in the set and has no matching cards.

Strategies for Winning at Stud Poker

Now, there are some 7 card stud poker tips you should do to ensure that you win the game. Firstly, you should know when to fold, especially if you haven’t received a strong suit or group of cards, as you might end up having unwanted losses. 

However, you can go ahead and bet against a player if you have a high pair in your hands. 

Some other 7 card stud poker tips include playing aggressively when you have an ace or king in the first 3 cards you’re dealt. 

Apart from that, if you have a suit or sequence from the beginning, or get a fourth card that completes the same, then you should continue playing. 

Remember to modify your strategies as per the situation. 

Lastly, if you are a novice, then you should learn how to understand your opponent’s style, play carefully and avoid being reckless. 

Read for more info: Tips to Play Poker Games Online – A23 

Mastering Stud Poker: The Final Word

Hence, 7 stud poker is an engaging game that can help you earn high rewards. All you have to do is follow the rules and play strategically. You should also work on your skills of observation, and improve your memory.

That’s because you can understand your opponents’ betting patterns, how to read their hands, and place your bets accordingly. Good luck!