5-CARD STUD

This is an easy game to learn, but requires skill and awareness to play well. The number of visible cards that each player displays makes it easier to judge the relative and potential strength of your hand. Like 7-Card Stud it pays to remember the cards that other players were displaying before they folded, so as to better be able to estimate the chances of the card you need being dealt in the later rounds.

There are four rounds of betting, one after each card is dealt, so fairly large pots can accumulate. As with most forms of poker, patience is the key.

5-Card Stud Terminology: You want the cash and the only way to get it is by winning pots. But before you dream of winning hands make sure you’re familiar with these valuable terms.

• Ante: The minimum amount to be placed on the table by all players before the first round of cards are dealt.
• Bring-in: A forced opening bet required from the player with the lowest value exposed card.
• Door Card: The exposed card (face-up) in each player's hand.
• Fifth Street: The fifth card dealt to each player.
• Fourth Street: The fourth card dealt to each player.
• Live Cards: The face-down cards that are still active in the game.

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Object of the game - to finish with the best hand, and win the pot.
Chip requirement - you must have enough chips to place an ante and a bet.

Sequence of play

• Each player places an ante on the table. The ante is set by the card room, and is not applicable in games where increments are $0.50/$1.00.
• Players are dealt two cards - one pocket card and one visible card.
• The player with the lowest value card "brings-in" the betting.
• Round of betting.
• Second round deal - all players are dealt their 2nd visible card.
• Round of betting.
• Third round deal - all players are dealt their 3rd visible card.
• Round of betting.
• Fourth round deal - all players are dealt their 4th visible card. (Each player should now have 1 pocket card and 4 visible cards)
• Final round of betting.
• The Showdown! All remaining players display their hand. The highest hand wins the pot.
• Betting Rules
• As per normal poker rules - playing and betting proceeds in a clockwise direction.
• All players must first ante before they receive their initial cards, except the $0.50/$1 game which has no ante.
• There are four betting rounds in a complete game of 5-Card Stud, not including the ante.
• On the first round of betting, the player with the lowest value door card "brings-in" and starts the betting - equal to at least half the minimum bet for the game. In subsequent rounds, the player with the highest hand initiates the betting. If hands tie, the player to the left of the dealer acts first.
• Betting increments in the game determine the bets. For example, in a game of $2 and $4 betting increments, the first two rounds of betting and raising are set at the lower level of $2, the other three rounds of betting and raising are set at the higher level of $4.
• The maximum allowable number of bets per player during any betting round is four. This includes a (1) bet, (2) raise, (3) re-raise, and (4) cap. The term cap is used to describe the 3rd raise in a round since betting is then capped and can't be raised further. Once capped, players have only the option of calling or folding.
• In betting rounds where players have folded, the first active player to the left of the disc/dealer is first to act.

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Be alert
Be aware of your opponents' visible cards as they give an indication of how your hand measures up at any point in the game.

Adjust your strategy accordingly
If the cards you need to help improve your hand are visible in your opponents hands, consider them dead to you, and adjust your strategy accordingly. Fold if necessary.

Play smart
There are 13 cards in a suit. You need five of them to make a flush. If the cards you need happen to be in your opponents' hands you obviously have no chance of them being dealt to you. However, if you can't see them, it means that it is still possible to be dealt those cards.

To fold or not to fold…
It is advisable to fold if another player's exposed cards are very strong relative to yours. If you are trying to compete for a Straight, check to see if another player displays the cards you need. You can then adjust your strategy accordingly.

Fold when necessary. 5-Card Stud poker is a game of patience; do not bet all you money on losing hands.

Remember: 5-Card Stud rewards patience above all other virtues!

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