Basic 7-Card Stud / 7-Card Stud Hi-Lo Rules

The player with the lowest-ranking up card starts the action with a forced bet called the “bring-in.” The bring-in is usually one-fourth or one-third (depending also on which produces an even amount) the lower limit. So using the example of playing a $3/$6 limit game, the bring-in would be $1. If two or more players have the same rank of up card, then the suit of the card determines who will bring-in (lowest-to-highest: clubs, diamonds, hearts, spades). The 2 of Clubs is the lowest up card that can dealt, so when it is, that player obviously will have to bring-in. This is actually one of the rare times that suits have any bearing in poker.

Once the bring-in bet has been made, each player (starting with the player to the left of the bring-in) can Fold, Call, or Raise by “completing” the bet. Going back to the $3/$6 example, if the bring-in does not raise, it would be $1 to Call, or you could raise by completing the bet to $3 (the lower limit). After your raise, the other players can either Fold, Call your bet for $3, or Re-Raise (by $3) to $6.

In any one round of betting, there can be a maximum of one bet and three raises (common policy for standard Stud games in poker rooms). The bring-in plus the completion would count as one bet in the first round. After the third raise, the betting would be “capped,” and remaining players can only Call or Fold until the next round.

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Fourth Street (second round)

Everyone is dealt another up card. Unlike the first round, where the lowest hand was forced to start the action, in this second betting round, the highest hand on board has the option to start the betting; that is, the player showing the highest hand is called upon first to either bet or check. If there is an unlikely tie, most poker rooms will either use the suit rule again, or simply choose the tied high hand that is next to act from the dealer.

The betting increments on fourth street usually proceeds at the lower limit. However, on this round of betting only, if a player gets an open pair, he or she has the option to make a double bet (the higher limit). For example, in a $2/$4 Stud game, the high hand on fourth street initiates action by either Checking (declining to bet, but retaining the option to remain in the hand if someone else acts), or betting $2. And with a $2 bet, the other players can either fold, call the $2, or raise it to $4. But if you were the high hand with an open pair (say, pair of Jacks), you would have the option to either check, bet $2, or make a double bet of $4. If you do make the double bet, the action stays at that level, and raises can then only be made in $4 increments. Also, the open pair on fourth street allows for a double bet by any active player, regardless if the player who owns the pair double bets or not. There are obviously some strategies to consider regarding this rule, and will be discussed in the Strategies & Tips section.

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Fifth Street (third round)

Everyone is dealt another (third) up card. The player with the highest combination of up cards starts the betting.

Sixth Street (fourth round)

Everyone is dealt another up card (fourth and final up card). Again, the player with the highest combination of up cards starts the betting.

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Seventh Street : “The River” (fifth round)

Everyone is dealt their final “river” card (seventh card, total) face down. The same player who started the last round starts the betting.

Showdown

The remaining active players show their cards and the best hand, comprised of the best five-card hand from each player’s seven, wins.

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