Overview
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Cards dealt to each player
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3 concealed, 4 open
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Community cards dealt
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none
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Number of betting rounds
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4
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Limits
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Fixed Limit
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Blinds or Antes
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Antes
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Introduction
Seven card stud is perhaps the most played variation of poker in the world. It has
been around since the time of the American Civil War.
The Game
In Texas Hold'em you get two hole cards, cards that the other players cannot see.
Then five cards are dealt face up on the board, successively. They are community
cards that all players can use to put together a five card poker hand.
Blinds
In seven card stud, you get seven cards, successively. Three of them are dealt face
down, only you will know what they are. Four are dealt face up, so that all players
can see them. When all cards are out, you can combine any five of your seven cards
to the best poker hand.
The Deal
When the blinds have been posted, each player is dealt two cards face down, the
hole cards. Then the first betting round takes place, starting with the player to
the left of the big blind.
Antes
Seven card stud is played with antes. Before the cards are dealt, each player posts
a mandatory bet to create a starting pot. The ante is normally 10% of the small
bet.
The Deal
When the antes have been posted, each player is dealt three cards: two face down
and one face up. Then the first betting round takes place, starting with the player
with the lowest displayed card. If two players have equally high cards, the one
to the left of the dealer begins. The first player to act must bet ("bring in")
but has the choice of betting either a small bet or half a small bet. If half a
bet is made, the following players can either call that bet or raise to a full small
bet. (Or fold - you can always fold.)
Fourth Street
When the first betting round is finished, each player receives their fourth card
face up. The second betting round takes place. Now and on the remaining betting
rounds, it is the player with the best cards showing who starts the betting.
Fifth Street
Each player receives their fifth card face up. The third betting round takes place,
starting with the player who shows the best three card hand.
Sixth Street
Each player receives their sixth card face up. The fourth betting round takes place,
starting with the player who shows the best four card hand.
Seventh Street (river)
Each player receives a seventh and final card. It is dealt face down, concealed
to the other players. The fifth and last betting round takes place, again starting
with the player who shows the best four card hand. If more than one player remains
in the hand after the betting, there is a showdown. The best high hand wins. If
there are not enough cards left to deal a seventh card to all remaining players,
the river is dealt face up on the board. It works as a community card, which all
players can use to form their poker hand.
Game Advice For Seven Card Stud
- Starting hand requirements - A strong starting hand consists of either a high pair,
three of a kind, three cards to a flush or three cards to a straight.
- Live cards - In seven card stud it is important to notice when other players get
the cards you need. Suppose, for example, that you are dealt three hearts. You would
like to stay in the hand and draw to a flush, but if other players receive a lot
of hearts, your chances of making the flush diminish. Or if you have a pair of kings,
your chances of hitting one of the remaining two kings almost vanish if you see
one of them in the hand of another player.
- Can you beat what you see? If you cannot beat the part of a hand that is face up
in front of a player, you certainly cannot beat that hand with the concealed cards
included.