Countdown Overview

Countdown is played exactly like Seven Card Stud, except that there is a wild card, which is determined only after all seven cards have been dealt. The number of players left in the game at the end of the final betting round is the number which becomes wild. Countdown is suitable for 3-7 players.

Countdown Rules

To begin the game, players place their ante in the pot. The ante is a small sum which players pay to get the pot started. The dealer gives each player two cards facedown, followed by a third card face-up. There is a round of betting.

Beginning with the player to the dealer’s left, each player decides whether to call the current bet. This entails paying the sum of the current bet. The player can also opt to raise the bet, which means paying more than the sum of the current bet. Raising forces other players who wish to stay in to pay the new, higher sum. If a player does not wish to pay the amount of the bet, they may opt to fold. Once a player folds, they stop playing and cannot win the pot.

When the betting round is over, cards number four through six are dealt face-up. Each card is followed by a betting round. The seventh card is dealt facedown. There is a final round of betting, and then the showdown. Players show all of their cards. The number of players who have not folded becomes the number of the wild card. That is, if three players are still playing, threes are wild. The player who can form the best five-card hand from his seven cards wins the pot.