Seven-Card Stud is a very commonly played poker game. Best played with 3-7 players, Seven-Card Stud combines cards which everyone can see with hole cards which can be seen only by the player.
Seven-Card Stud is played with antes. Each player places a small sum in the pot before the initial deal.
The dealer deals two cards face down and one card face up to each player. In a casino, generally the player with the lowest card showing must start with the bring-in bet. This is a bet which is lower than the lowest betting level. Moving clockwise, each player must either call the bring-in bet, raise the bet, or fold, quitting the round. The player who placed the bring-in bet may raise afterwards.
When betting is completed, the dealer gives each player a card, face up. This is followed by a betting round, beginning with the player sitting to the dealer’s left. If he has folded, then the next player to his left begins the betting round.
A fifth card is dealt, face up, to each player. This is followed by another betting round.
The sixth card is dealt, face up, to each player, followed by a fourth round of betting.
The seventh card is dealt face down. This is followed by a final round of betting. After this round of betting, there is a showdown. Players use five of the seven cards to form the best possible hand. The player with the best poker hand wins the pot.