7 Card Stud
7 Card Stud Rules
The aim of the game
7 card stud poker follows the same principles as all other popular poker variations. In 7 card stud poker you play against other players on the table and the grand aim of the game is to have the highest 5 card hand combination (see the section below). Your hand combination is shown after a series of betting in what is known as 'the showdown'. In order for a showdown to occur, however, it requires more than one person still in the game, players can fold (exit the hand) at any given time during the various betting points. You can therefore win a hand of 7 card stud poker in two different ways; in the showdown have the highest 5 card combination or be the last player to surrender your cards under the pressure of the betting.
The hand combinations
These are the universally accepted poker hand rankings from highest to lowest.
Royal Flush:
The highest possible ranked hand. To achieve this hand you need an Ace, King, Queen, Jack, and 10 of the same suit.
(Example: A , K , Q , J , 10 )
Straight Flush:
Five cards of the same suit in ascending order.
(Example: 8 , 7 , 6 , 5 , 4 )
Four of a Kind:
Four cards of the same value.
(Example: K , K , K , K )
Full House:
Three of a kind and a pair. The player with the higher value three of a kind, wins in the event of a tie.
(Example: A , A , A , 5 , 5 )
Flush:
A hand containing five cards of the same suit. If two players have the same hand the winner is the player holding the highest valued cards.
(Example: Q , 10 , 6 , 3 , 2 )
Straight:
Five cards of any suit in ascending order. The ace can be either high or low and the high straight wins the tie.
(Example: 10 , 9 , 8 , 7 , 6 )
Three of a Kind:
Three of a kind is simply three cards of the same value.
(Example: 8 , 8 , 8 )
Two pair:
Two sets of pairs.
(Example: 3 , 3 , Q , Q )
The player holding the highest pair takes the pot in the event that more than one player is holding two pairs.
Pair:
One pair of cards in a hand.
(Example: J , J or 5 , 5 )
HIGH CARD:
Highest card takes all in the event there is a complete absence of the above hands.
The Buy-in
In order to be eligible to play a game of 7 card stud you must have a certain amount of chips. This buy-in price varies depending on which table you choose to play on but it is always ten times the amount of the minimum bet. For example; a £3/£6 table will require to have at least £30 of chips to be able to play. Similarly a higher table such as £10/£20 dollars will require you to enter the game with no less than £100 in chips. Littlewoods offers a number of different buy-in prices to cater for all types of players.
How to play
To play 7 card stud you, and other players, must firstly pay the 'ante' The 'ante' is a compulsory small bet that must be paid on every hand before the cards are dealt. The 'ante' amount varies from table to table; the lower the table limit, the lower the ante. Once the antes are in you are dealt two down cards (hole cards) and one up card. All players have one card visible; the player with the lowest ranking card is obliged to commence the first round of betting with a bet equalling half the lower table limit. This is known as a 'bring in'.
The betting follows the same principles as most poker games with the options of call (match the current bet), check (do not raise), raise (increase the pot amount) or fold (quit the hand). After the first round of betting three more up cards are dealt with a betting round between each one. Finally a fourth card is dealt down facing and a final round of betting will occur. Whoever is left at this point will enter the 'showdown' and the player with the best 5 card poker combination from the available 7 is the winner.
