Seven-Card Stud

1 Overview

Seven Card Stud is a classic poker variant played without community cards. Each player receives their own set of cards, some face-up (visible to all), some face-down (private). Players build the best 5-card hand from their 7 cards.

Unlike Texas Hold'em, Seven Card Stud has no flop and uses antes instead of blinds. Players also use Limit betting structure in most games.

2 The Deal

All players post an ante (a small forced bet). The dealer deals cards in the following sequence:

1. 3rd Street: 2 cards face-down (hole cards) + 1 card face-up (door card) to each player
2. 4th Street: 1 card face-up to each remaining player
3. 5th Street: 1 card face-up
4. 6th Street: 1 card face-up
5. 7th Street (River): 1 card face-down

Each deal is followed by a betting round (5 total). Players have 3 face-up cards and 4 cards in their hand (2 initial hole cards + the 7th street card).

3 Betting Rounds

3rd Street

The player with the lowest face-up card posts the bring-in (a forced bet larger than the ante). Betting proceeds clockwise. In limit stud, the small bet size applies on 3rd and 4th street.

4th through 6th Street

The player with the best visible hand acts first. If two players tie for best visible hand, the one closest to the dealer's left acts first. On 5th Street, betting switches to the larger bet size (in Limit).

7th Street

If more players remain than the deck can accommodate (8 players × 7 cards = 56, more than 52), the 7th card may be dealt as a single community card instead. Betting proceeds as normal.

4 Showdown

Remaining players show all 7 cards. Each player selects their best 5-card poker hand. Standard hand rankings apply (Royal Flush through High Card). The best hand wins the pot.

5 Seven Card Stud Hi-Lo (8 or Better)

A popular variant where the pot is split between the best high hand and the best low hand. To qualify for the low half, a player must have 5 unpaired cards with ranks 8 or below (Ace counts as low). If no player qualifies for low, the high hand wins the entire pot.

6 Strategy

Watch the Up Cards

Unlike Hold'em, in Stud you see your opponents' face-up cards. Track which cards are "dead" (already visible in others' hands), it directly affects the probability of completing your draws.

Starting Hand Selection

Strong starting hands: three of a kind (rolled up), high pairs (Aces through Tens), three suited cards for a flush draw, three connected cards for a straight draw. Fold low unconnected cards with no flush potential.

Live Cards Only

A flush draw is much weaker if several of your suit are already showing in opponents' up cards. Always adjust your hand's strength based on what's dead.

7 Starting Hand Guide (3rd Street)

In Seven Card Stud, your starting hand decision on 3rd Street sets the trajectory of the hand. Unlike Hold'em, you can see one card from each opponent, use this information. If your card is "live" (not showing in opponents' hands), your hand has full value. If your key cards are dead, muck even strong hands.

The Dead Card Rule

Before calling any bet, count how many of your key cards are showing in opponents' hands. If you're drawing to a flush and 3 of your suit are already out, your flush draw has dropped from ~35% to under 15%. Fold hands that are severely compromised by dead cards, regardless of their nominal strength.

3rd Street Starting Hand Chart

4th Street Decision

On 4th Street (your 4th card), reassess: Did your hand improve? Are your cards still live? The general rule: if you haven't improved and your cards are getting dead, fold cheaply on 4th street rather than 5th. Calling one more bet on 4th when you're beaten is the most common (and expensive) Stud mistake.