Rules of 5 Card Stud
This is the original form of stud poker. It works in much the same way as 7 card stud.
Ante
To begin a round, each player pays the ante which will be a fraction of the smaller bet (e.g. at stakes of $10/$20, the ante could be $1).
Deal
All players are dealt one card face down, and one card face up.
Opening betting round - "Bring in"
The player with the lowest card facing up begins betting by making a bring-in bet. Like 7 card stud, this bet can be half the smaller bet or a full small bet (in our example $5 or $10). If two players have the same exposed lowest card, the rank will be ordered by suit going from clubs as the lowest through diamonds, hearts and spades as the highest. Betting proceeds clockwise from the "bring in".
Third Street
Players are then dealt another card face up. The player with the highest combination of cards facing up begins the betting. Bets will normally be a smaller bet ($10), but can be a high bet ($20) if one or more players have a pair in their two exposed cards.
Fourth Street
Another card is dealt face up to each player still remaining. The highest exposed cards start the betting again. Only high bets apply in this round (e.g. $20).
Fifth Street - the "River"
One last card is dealt face up so that all remaining players now have one card face down and the remaining four face up; the final betting round begins. If 1 or more players remain after this betting round, the winner is decided by a showdown, where the strongest five card poker hand wins.