The Streets of Seven-Card Stud Poker

Poker variants can be broken down to three categories: draw, hold'em, and stud poker. Seven-card stud poker or stud, as opposed to draw and hold'em, is tricky when it comes to betting and card distribution. So here's a rundown of what you can expect on the streets of seven-card stud.

A game commences with all the players placing an ante. After which, they are dealt three cards each. This phase of the game is called the third street where two hole or pocket cards are given facing down and a third card, called door card, is dealt facing up. Then, whoever has the lowest-valued door card begins the first betting round with a bring-in bet that can either be the lowest amount in the pre-set stakes or lower.

When the first betting cycle is completed, a face-up card is given to each of the players. This is called the fourth street in stud poker. The second betting round is started by the one with the best up-cards. The amount of bets at this point is still the lower amount in the pre-set poker stakes.

After the second cycle of betting, another card is given to the players that's face-up at what's called the fifth street. The third betting round starts with who holds the highest ranked up-cards. Also, bets placed from this point on increases to the highest amount in the pre-set poker stakes.

When the third cycle of betting is done, another up-card is given at what's called the sixth street. Again, betting begins with the player having the highest ranking up-cards. After this cycle of betting, each player receives a final card face-down at what's called the seventh street. Then, the fifth and final betting round starts again with whoever has the best up-cards. When that's done, the showdown commences. And whoever has the best five-card poker hand from their seven available cards wins the pot.

Seven-card stud poker is so-named because players get to use seven cards to create the best five-card poker hand. There are pre-set stakes for each of the five betting rounds in a game. And there are three general points in how seven-card stud is played. First of all, ante bets are placed in stead of blinds and a bring-in bet is used to start off the first betting round. Second, there are no community cards. And third, there are five betting cycles or rounds encompassing a session of seven-card stud.