How to Play Seven-Card Stud
A classic high-hand game with antes, a bring-in, visible upcards, and no community board.
Learn the rules ↓What is Seven-Card Stud?
Make the best five-card high hand from your seven cards or win when opponents fold.
Seven-Card Stud was a major casino format before the rise of Hold'em; current procedures are described in published room rules.
Dealer, forced bets & starting cards
Third street gives two downcards and one upcard. Fourth through sixth are upcards; seventh is usually down. The lowest upcard brings in on third street; later exposed hands determine first action.
Forced bets: Ante and third-street bring-in. Deck: Standard 52-card deck.
Betting rounds & legal actions
Betting schedule: 5 streets of betting. When action reaches you, fold, check if no bet is pending, bet, call, or raise within the table's betting limits. An all-in wager is possible when your remaining stack is smaller than a full bet; side pots can result.
Betting limits: Usually fixed-limit. Always confirm the posted stake and raise rules before play.
Showdown & pot award
Each player selects the best five of their seven cards. Standard high rankings apply and exact ties split the pot.
See the rule at the table.
Your seven cards include A♠ A♦ K♣ K♥ 5♠ 4♦ 2♣. Your best five-card hand is two pair, aces and kings with a five kicker.
The mistake to avoid
Ignoring an opponent's exposed cards. Upcards reveal information about their likely hands and cards unavailable to you.
A sound starting approach
Track live cards and position by exposed board. A strong hidden pair can change value when matching cards are visible in other hands.
Venue and format variations
Stud Hi-Lo and Razz use a similar dealing pattern but different pot-award rules. Rare deck shortages can alter the final deal under house rules.
Game mechanics, tournament procedures, and local house rules are different layers. Poker TDA publishes tournament procedures; the table operator's posted game rules decide the exact version you play.
Follow one hand, step by step.
All players ante.
This fixed sequence teaches the deal and betting order. It does not simulate an actual hand.
Check your understanding.
QUESTION 1 / 2What starts betting on third street in ordinary Seven-Card Stud?
Read the correct chart.
Listed from strongest to weakest. A royal flush is the highest straight flush. Suits do not break ties in standard high poker.
- A♠K♠Q♠J♠10♠Royal flushThe ace-high straight flush.
- 9♥8♥7♥6♥5♥Straight flushFive consecutive cards of one suit.
- Q♠Q♥Q♦Q♣3♠Four of a kindFour cards of one rank.
- K♠K♥K♦4♣4♠Full houseThree of one rank plus a pair.
- A♦J♦8♦5♦2♦FlushFive cards of one suit, not consecutive.
- 9♣8♦7♥6♠5♣StraightFive consecutive ranks, not all one suit.
- 7♠7♥7♦K♣2♥Three of a kindThree cards of one rank.
- A♠A♥5♦5♣Q♠Two pairTwo distinct pairs.
- J♠J♦A♥8♣3♦One pairTwo cards of one rank.
- A♠J♦8♥5♣2♦High cardNo pair or higher category.
Frequently asked questions
What cards and deck does Seven-Card Stud use?
Standard 52-card deck. Cards received over the hand: 7 over the hand: 3 down, 4 up; community cards: 0 normally.
How is the pot awarded?
Each player selects the best five of their seven cards. Standard high rankings apply and exact ties split the pot.
Which rules should I check at a real table?
Stud Hi-Lo and Razz use a similar dealing pattern but different pot-award rules. Rare deck shortages can alter the final deal under house rules. Confirm the venue's betting limits, forced bets, and tournament or cash-game procedures.
Related poker terms
Continue exploring
Playing this game in a tournament? Explore tournament formats and rules ↗
Source documents
These original explanations were reviewed 2026-10-15. The linked organizations publish the underlying rules; Flawless Poker is an educational guide, not an official ruling body.
- PokerStars Seven Card Stud rules ↗Published room game rules
- Poker TDA 2026 Rules v1.1 (Sept. 21, 2026) ↗Tournament procedures; not a universal rulebook for every game