7-CARD STUD

7-Card Stud is one of the most popular forms of poker throughout the world, but requires patience and skill. You especially need to know when to hold and when to fold, because with the number of cards and betting rounds it can get expensive to stay in the pot - and even more so if you aren't holding a good enough hand at the showdown. 7-Card Stud pots can get quite large, as the maximum bets double after the third round of betting.

The game also requires that you make adjustments to your strategy based on the size of the pot and the other players. A further facet of the game that needs to be mastered if you want to be a winning player, is remembering which cards appeared in hands that have already been folded, which obviously affects the odds of you getting the cards you need to complete your hand.

Sound like a true stud by adding a few of these terms to your vocabulary. You’re guaranteed to pick-up some beauties and desirable pots.

• Ante: The minimum amount to be placed on the table by each player before cards are dealt and betting begins.
• Bring-in: A forced beginning bet required from the player with the lowest value exposed card.
• Door Card: The first face-up card dealt to each player.
• Fifth Street: The fifth card dealt to each player, which is followed by the third round of betting.
• Fourth Street: The fourth card dealt to each player, which is followed by the second round of betting.
• Live Cards: Cards that are hidden, but still in play.
• River: The final face-up card dealt. Also known as Seventh Street.
• Seventh Street: The final card dealt to each player, followed by the final round of betting.
• Sixth Street: The sixth card to be dealt to each player, followed by the fourth round of betting.
• Street: The name for the various stages of betting and receiving cards. The first three cards are dealt simultaneously at the beginning of the hand, betting is said to start at 3rd Street, and continues to 7th street.
• Third Street: The first round of betting after all players have received their first 3 cards - hence "Third Street".

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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

• Players place 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.
• Three cards are dealt - two "hole" cards, and one visible "door card". This is known as Third Street.
• At this point, the player with the lowest card must "bring-in" the betting.
• First round of betting - options are to check, fold, bet, or raise.
• Fourth Street - the fourth card is dealt face-up.
• Betting round - options are to check, fold, bet, or raise.
• Fifth Street - the fifth card is dealt face-up.
• Betting round - options are to check, fold, bet, or raise.
• Sixth Street - the sixth card is dealt face-up.
• Betting round - options are to check, fold, bet, or raise.
• River card /seventh street- the final card is dealt facedown
• Final round of betting follows.
• The Showdown! If two or more players are still vying for the pot when the betting concludes, the hands at the table are turned face-up.
• The two players with the best high and low hands split 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 in the $0.50/$1 game, which has no ante.
• There are five betting rounds in a complete game of 7-Card Stud, not including the ante.
• In 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 proceeding 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. 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 exception to this rule is if any player displays a pair with their 2 face-up cards on 4th Street. In this case, all players have the option to bet either the lower limit or the higher limit. If a player bets the higher limit, then all subsequent raises must be made at the higher limit.
• 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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Adjust your strategy: If the cards you need to improve your hand are visible in any of your opponents hands, consider them dead to you, and adjust your strategy accordingly. Fold you hand if necessary.

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

A "big pair" is worth betting on, unless another player is betting aggressively on what seems to be a very good hand.

Fifth Street is a make or break point: As the bet amount doubles each round, ensure your hand can produce a win at the end of the game. This will minimize your loss. It is advisable to fold if another player's exposed cards beat your entire hand.

Be alert: 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, and fold if necessary.

Be patient: Once again - fold when necessary. 7-Card Stud poker is a game of patience; so do not bet all you money on losing hands.

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