How to Play 7-Card Stud
7-Card Stud was the most popular poker game before Texas Hold’em took over. There are no community cards – each player receives their own seven cards throughout the hand.
The Rules
Each player receives three cards to start (two face-down, one face-up). Four more cards are dealt one at a time (three face-up, one face-down), with betting after each card. Players make their best five-card hand from their seven cards.
Betting Structure
7-Card Stud is typically played as a limit game with antes instead of blinds. The player with the lowest up-card must post the bring-in bet.
Reading Your Opponents
Since you can see some of your opponents’ cards, information gathering and memory are crucial skills in Stud.
Basic Strategy
Starting Hand Selection
Be selective with your starting hands. Focus on high pairs (Aces, Kings, Queens), three-card straights or flushes (especially if they are high-ranked or connected), or strong three-card high card combinations (e.g., A-K-Q, K-Q-J). Avoid low, disconnected hands unless you have a strong pair that can improve.
Observe Opponents’ Upcards (Board Reading)
Pay close attention to your opponents’ face-up cards and the “dead cards” you see. If many cards you need for a flush or straight are already showing among your opponents’ upcards or the muck, your odds of completing your draw decrease significantly. Similarly, if an opponent shows strong connecting cards, be wary of their potential hand strength.
Fold Early and Often
Don’t get emotionally invested in marginal hands. If your hand isn’t improving and you’re facing strong betting from opponents who are showing strong boards, it’s often best to fold early and save your chips for a better opportunity. Chasing long-shot draws can quickly deplete your stack.
Bet for Information and Value
When you have a strong hand, bet to extract value from your opponents. However, also consider betting to gain information. A bet can tell you a lot about your opponents’ hands based on whether they call, raise, or fold. Varying your betting patterns can also make you harder to read.
Common Mistakes
Playing Too Many Hands
Beginners often play too many starting hands, especially low pairs or weak three-card draws, hoping to get lucky. This leads to constantly being outdrawn and losing chips. Stick to strong starting requirements to improve your chances.
Ignoring Opponents’ Upcards
Failing to track visible cards (both your opponents’ and those folded) means missing crucial information. If an opponent is showing three spades, and you’re drawing to a flush, you need to know how many spades are “dead” to accurately assess your pot odds and the likelihood of completing your hand.
Chasing Draws with Poor Odds
Continuously calling bets with long-shot draws (e.g., a one-card gutshot straight draw on 6th street) is a common leak. Understand your pot odds and implied odds before committing chips. If the odds aren’t in your favor, it’s usually better to fold.
Overvaluing Small Pairs
While a pair is a pair, small pairs (e.g., 2s, 3s, 4s) are often not strong enough to win in 7-Card Stud, especially if opponents are showing higher cards or drawing to straights/flushes. Be cautious with small pairs unless they improve significantly to two pair or better.
FAQ
What is the “bring-in” bet?
In 7-Card Stud, the player with the lowest face-up card on third street (after the initial deal) is required to make the “bring-in” bet. This is a small, forced bet, typically half of the small bet limit. If two or more players have the same lowest card, suit rankings (often clubs, diamonds, hearts, spades in ascending order) usually break the tie.
How many betting rounds are there in 7-Card Stud?
There are five betting rounds in 7-Card Stud: one after the initial three cards (Third Street), and then one after each subsequent face-up card (Fourth, Fifth, and
