Seven-Card Stud Rules | How to Play & Win
How to Play Seven-Card Stud — Rules, Streets & Easy Strategy
Seven-Card Stud is the classic poker game from before Texas Hold’em took over. There are no community cards. Each player builds a best five-card hand from seven cards dealt to them across multiple betting rounds. This easy guide explains the deal order (3rd through 7th street), antes and bring-in, betting structure, hand rankings, key strategy, and common mistakes to avoid.
What Is Seven-Card Stud?
In Seven-Card Stud, players receive their own mix of face-down and face-up cards. There is no flop, turn, or river. Instead, cards are dealt over “streets” with a betting round after each street. Your goal is to make the best five-card hand using any combination of your seven cards.
- Players: Usually 2–8 per table.
- Structure: Most games are Fixed-Limit (set bet sizes that increase later).
- No blinds: Instead of blinds, everyone posts an ante. The lowest up-card posts a bring-in.
- Open cards: You will see part of your opponents’ hands as the deal progresses, which changes strategy a lot.
Visual: Your Starting Cards
Typical premium start: a pair in the hole (two down cards) plus one up-card.
Deal Order, Streets & Betting Rounds
| Street | Cards Dealt | Face Up/Down | Who Acts First? | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Antes | — | — | — | All players post a small ante to seed the pot. |
| 3rd Street | 3 cards to each | 2 down + 1 up | Lowest up-card pays bring-in; action proceeds clockwise | Players may complete to the small bet size. Strong starts: high pairs, three to a flush/straight with high cards. |
| 4th Street | 1 card to each | Face up | High board (best up-cards) acts first | Another betting round at the small bet. If you pair your door card, beware “board pair” traps. |
| 5th Street | 1 card to each | Face up | High board acts first | Bets double to the big bet size from here. Big decisions: keep drawing or release. |
| 6th Street | 1 card to each | Face up | High board acts first | Pot often gets large; count live outs carefully based on dead cards. |
| 7th Street (River) | 1 card to each | Face down | High board acts first | Final betting round; showdown if called. Best five-card hand wins. |
Antes, Bring-In & Betting Limits
In Stud there are no blinds. Instead, each player antes a small amount before the deal. On 3rd street, the player showing the lowest up-card posts a bring-in (a forced partial bet). Action then continues with either a completion to the small bet or raises. From 5th street onward, the bet size doubles to the big bet. Many casinos cap raises (for example, three or four raises per round in limit formats).
Starting Hands (What to Play)
- High pairs: A-A-x, K-K-x, Q-Q-x are premium. Prefer when your pair cards are “live” (few seen on other boards).
- Rolled-up trips: Three of a kind on 3rd street (extremely strong; rare).
- Three to a flush or straight (high): Suited A-K-x or K-Q-J with good kickers can develop strong draws by 5th/6th.
- Split pairs with high kicker: One up, one down (e.g., K♠ showing with another K down) can apply pressure early.
- Avoid weak, unconnected low cards unless the table is very passive and your cards are live.
Reading Boards (Information Edge)
- Up-cards tell a story: Track which ranks and suits are visible — they change your draw odds.
- Dead cards: If you chase a heart flush and many hearts are already out on other boards, your equity drops fast.
- Board strength: The player acting first each street is the one with the best up-cards — respect the story they’re telling.
Position in Stud
- There is no dealer button. “Position” is dynamic — it depends on whose up-cards are best each street.
- Having the lead (best board) lets you bet for value and deny free cards. Losing the lead often means playing more carefully.
- Plan your line across streets: if your up-cards improve, you’ll likely act first next street.
How to Play — Step by Step
- Antes posted: Everyone pays a small ante to start the hand.
- 3rd street deal: Two down cards and one up-card to each player. Lowest up-card posts the bring-in. Players may complete to the small bet or call/raise/fold.
- 4th street: One up-card to each. Betting at the small bet size. Strong boards press advantage; weak boards call or fold.
- 5th street: One up-card; bets are now the big bet size. Pot grows; fold more often if your hand did not improve.
- 6th street: One up-card; evaluate live outs, pot odds, and what the visible boards suggest about your chances.
- 7th street: Final down card; last betting round. If called, all remaining players show their best five-card hands.
Keep notes on opponents’ tendencies: who completes light on 3rd, who overvalues pairs, and who chases weak draws to 7th.
Poker Hand Rankings (Best → Worst)
- Royal Flush
- Straight Flush
- Four of a Kind
- Full House
- Flush
- Straight
- Three of a Kind
- Two Pair
- One Pair
- High Card
Same order as Texas Hold’em. No special low rules in Seven-Card Stud (that’s in Stud Hi-Lo).
Example Hands & Decisions
Example 1 — Split Kings on 3rd: You show K♣ up with another K down and a random low kicker. Several low cards are visible on other boards. Completing is strong: you likely have the best hand now, and many opponents will call with weaker draws.
Example 2 — Three to a high flush: You start with A♥ Q♥ down and J♥ up. Only one heart is visible on other boards. Completing is fine; by 5th street you could have four hearts with two overcards, giving multiple ways to win.
Example 3 — Dead draws: You chase an open straight but you can see two of your needed ranks already on other boards. Your outs are “dead.” Save bets and fold earlier on 5th.
Example 4 — Slow vs fast play: Rolled-up trips on 3rd (e.g., Q-Q-Q) can be disguised by calling early, but by 5th/6th you should build a pot. Watch for boards that clearly show straights/flushes — pair boards can let you boat up and stack opponents.
Core Strategy
- Start tight: Antes make you play more hands naturally; resist. Select strong starts with live cards.
- Value first: Stud is a value game. Bet your made hands, charge draws, punish second-best pairs.
- Fold discipline: If your hand stalls while opponents improve their boards, get out early — especially after 5th street.
Betting & Sizing (Limit)
- Push edges early when you have board lead and overcards.
- On 5th–7th, the big bet streets, thin value becomes expensive. Choose spots well.
- Free card plays exist: if you’re likely to act first next street, check-raise lines can buy extra value or protection.
Table & Opponents
- Loose-passive tables let you realize equity — value bet thinner.
- Against aggressive boards, trap with disguised strength, but don’t overdo it on draw-heavy runouts.
- Track who respects bring-in completes and who chases to 7th with weak draws.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Ignoring dead cards: If your outs are visible, your draw shrinks. Adjust or fold.
- Completing weak starts: Small split pairs with bad kickers lose money versus stronger boards.
- Calling down on autopilot: On big-bet streets (5th–7th), calling with second-best pairs burns chips.
- Telegraphing strength: Only betting when you improve makes your hand face-up. Mix in bets with strong draws.
- Forgetting board lead: If your up-cards are strongest, you should usually be the aggressor.
Keep Learning
Compare Seven-Card Stud with fast, action-heavy community-card games:
Seven-Card Stud — FAQ
What is the bring-in?
The bring-in is a forced bet posted by the player showing the lowest up-card on 3rd street. After the bring-in, players can complete to the small bet, call, raise, or fold.
Is Stud always fixed limit?
Most casino Stud games are fixed limit, but home games can vary. Limit keeps pots controllable across many streets.
How important are live cards?
Very. If many of your outs are visible on other boards, your chance to improve drops. Choose starts with live ranks and suits.
Do I need different strategy for Stud Hi-Lo?
Yes. Stud Hi-Lo splits the pot between high and low (8-or-better). That’s a different game with different starting requirements.