English Stud Poker

English Stud Poker Overview

English Stud is a mixture of stud poker and draw poker, with two draws in the course of the game. Because each player may receive as many as ten cards, there is a possibility of running out of cards with more than five players. However, many dealers will allow it with six players. English Stud is generally played by at least three players.

English Stud Poker Rules

Before the first cards are dealt, players ante up. This means that they place a small sum in the pot. Then the dealer gives each player two cards facedown and one card face-up. There is a round of betting, beginning with the player to the dealer’s left. The betting moves clockwise around the table. Each player has to make a decision. They have three choices. They can stay in by matching the amount of the current bet. This is referred to as calling. They can stay in and raise the amount of the current bet. This means that other players will have to match the new, higher value to stay in. If a player does not wish to continue playing, he may fold. Once a player folds, they do not get to play anymore and they cannot win the pot. They do not have to put any more money in the pot, though.

When the betting is complete, each player receives their fourth card, face-up. There is another betting round, followed by the fifth card, which is also dealt face-up.

Then there is a draw. Each player may discard one card and get a new card. If the card they discarded was facedown, the new card is given facedown. If they discarded an upcard, the new card is given face-up. This is followed by a round of betting.

Each player receives their sixth card, face-up. There is another draw, and another round of betting.

The seventh card is dealt facedown, followed by a final draw and a final round of betting. Then there is the showdown. All players who are still in show all of their cards. The player who can form the best five card poker hand wins the pot.