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7 Card Stud Poker Basics

November 21, 2008

The Play

I will give you a brief description of what to expect when you join a seven-card stud game.
When you first sit down at the table you must understand what betting structure is being used. Usually a structured limit game is used in seven-card. Such as $2 and $4 blinds, if the game you have joined is a structured-limit game, you must “ante” or pay a small amount to join. If it is a spread limit game, an ante may or may not be required for you to receive cards.

Five rounds of betting take place in seven-card stud, and between each you are dealt one more card. When the hand begins you will be dealt three cards, this is also called third-street. Two cards will be face down (your hole cards), and one will be face up you door card.

In most structured limit games, on third-street, the player with the lowest exposed (door) card must bring in the betting for half of the small amount. For example, like I was saying earlier if you were playing a 2$/4$ game, the holder of the lowest door card must bet a dollar. If the player so desires he may bet the whole amount of 2$. From here the play continues around the table clockwise of the initial bettor. Players can either fold, call or raise.

While still on third-street raises can only occur in increments of the small amount i.e. two dollars. With a maximum of three raises allowed before the pot is “capped,” though the likelihood of the pot being raised that much on third-street is very unlikely. One thing to remember third-street is the only round during the play of a hand where the holder of low card will lead out to start the betting.

If you decide to stay in the next round, which is also called fourth-street. Unless there is a pair on the board (any two cards that are face up in front of a player) betting can only start in increments of the small amount. So when it becomes your turn again you can only call, bet 2$ or raise 2$.When there is a pair on the board you have the option of betting or raising the big amount.

Now if you are still playing the hand the next card is called fifth-street. At this point you don’t have the option of betting the small amount in a structured–limit game. From here on to the end of the hand all the betting is done from the big amount. The high hand on board starts the betting and a maximum of three raises is allowed. The next two streets, sixth and seventh are played the same way.

7-card stud poker can be a nice change from the norm when trying to choose a different poker game to get involved in. Remember as the betting increments increase if your hand is marginal at best you may be throwing money into a pot that you have minimal chance of winning. The way to avoid that would be to continue to play the better starting hand combinations so that you still can limit your losses, but have fun at the same time.

Written by Rob · Filed Under HORSE Poker Strategy 

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