Seven-Card Stud
Also known as: 7-Card Stud, Stud, Stud High, Seven Stud
The dominant poker variant before Hold'em's rise to mainstream popularity. Each player receives seven cards over five betting rounds — three face down and four face up. No community cards. Players must remember exposed cards from folded hands for an information advantage.
Quick Rules
- Each player antes, then receives 2 cards face down and 1 face up (third street).
- The lowest up card posts a forced bring-in bet.
- Three more face-up cards are dealt one at a time (fourth, fifth, sixth street) with a betting round after each.
- A final seventh card is dealt face down (seventh street / the river).
- Players make the best 5-card hand from their 7 cards.
Strategy Notes
Memory is a significant edge — tracking which cards have been folded and are therefore unavailable affects draw odds. Starting hand requirements are stricter than Hold'em. Live cards (cards you need that haven't been seen) are essential to evaluate.
Home Game Tips
Maximum 8 players (56 cards needed but the 7th card can be dealt as a community card if the deck runs short). Requires more physical table space since each player's up cards are displayed. Slower pace than Hold'em.
Full support via the Stud game type in event creation.
Create a Seven-Card Stud Tournament