Murder Stud Poker

Murder Stud Overview

Murder Stud is a variant of Seven Card Stud with two major differences. First, players holding visible pairs must pay a large penalty. Second, if no player holds a visible pair, the game is restarted. As a result, even with small antes, Murder can end up being a high-stakes game. Like other Seven Card Stud games, Murder is suitable for 3-7 players.

Murder Stud Rules

To begin the game, all players must ante up, placing an initial sum in the pot. The dealer gives each player two cards facedown, followed by a single card face-up. Then there is a round of betting, beginning with the player to the dealer’s left and moving clockwise around the table. Players can choose to call, paying the amount of the current bet. They may also choose to raise, increasing the amount of the current bet, and forcing any other player who wishes to stay in to call at the higher rate. If a player doesn’t wish to stay in, they may fold, forfeiting the game completely.

The fourth card is dealt face up. If any player has two cards showing of the same rank, they must either fold or pay the current value of the pot to stay in. When all players have received their fourth card and either paid the penalty or folded, then there is another round of betting.

The fifth card is dealt face up, and all rules that apply to the fourth card apply here too. The fifth card is also followed by a round of betting. The sixth card is also dealt face up, with the same penalty applying for pairs. However, if no player has had a pair showing when the sixth card has been dealt to all players, the cards are gathered and re-shuffled. Players re-ante, and the game begins again.

If any player had a pair, even if they folded, then the seventh card is dealt facedown, followed by a round of betting and the showdown. Players form the best possible hand using any five of their seven cards. The player with the best poker hand wins the pot.