7 Card Stud Poker Game Rules

7 Card Stud Poker is a 2-8 player game using a standard 52 card deck. The object of 7 Card Stud is to make the best 5 card poker hand using your 7 cards. The player remaining with the best hand wins.

1. All players ante
2. Players are dealt 2 cards face-down, and 1 card face-up
3. Round 1 of betting, the player with the lowest face-up card starts
4. Each player is dealt a 4^th card face-up
5. Round 2 of betting, the player with the highest poker hand, using only the face-up cards, starts
6. Each player is dealt a 5^th card face-up
7. Round 3 of betting, the player with the highest poker hand, using only the face-up cards, starts
8. Each player is dealt a 6^th card face-up
9. Round 4 of betting, the player with the highest poker hand, using only the face-up cards, starts
10. Each player is dealt a 7^th card face-down

    In the event that there are not enough cards left in the deck to deal every remaining player a 7^th card, the final card is a community card and is dealt face up in the middle of the table

11. Round 5 of betting, the player with the highest poker hand, using only the face-up cards, starts
12. Showdown.

After all players have anted and received their 2 hole cards and 1 face up card, the player with the lowest face up card acts first. Should multiple players tie with the lowest card, suits are then compared. Suit ranks are determined alphabetically ♠ Spades (highest), ♥ Hearts, ♦ Diamonds, ♣ Clubs. After the first round the player with the highest poker hand using only their face up cards starts. In the event of a tie after the first round, suits are not compared and the player with the highest hand to the left of the dealer starts.

On the first round of betting, the player with the lowest card must start the action by betting equal to half the lower limit amount.

During the first 2 rounds of betting (3rd and 4th street), bets are set to the lower limit of th table stakes. For example, in a $2/$4 game the bet amounts for 3rd and 4th street is $2, all other rounds are $4. An exception to this rule is that if any player shows a pair using their face up cards on 4th street, all players have the option to bet the high or low limit bet. If the high limit bet is made all raises must be at the high limit.

During the last 3 rounds of betting (5th, 6th and 7th street), bets are set to the higher limit of the table stakes. For example, in a $2/$4 game the bet amounts for the 5th, 6th and 7th street is $4.

There is a maximum of 4 bets per player during any betting round. 1 a bet and 3 raises.

When playing in a 7 Card Stud High Low game, both the High and Low hands split the pot. To qualify for a low hand you must have 5 unique cards that have a rank of 8 or lower, Aces can be used as Low and/or High. i.e. (a straight Ace thru 5 (a wheel) is the lowest possible hand.) Straights and Flushes do not count when making a low hand.

You may play a low and high hand at the same time using the same or different cards in your hand.

For example: If you had these cards: A,A,8,8,4,3,2. You could play 2 pair Aces and Eights for your High hand and 8,4,3,2,1 as your low hand.