Rules of 7 Card Stud
7 Card Stud is a very popular variety of poker. It has a very different structure to Texas Hold 'em.
Betting is divided into 5 rounds, each player can see a maximum of 7 cards and there are no community cards.
Ante
Before a game starts, each player must post an "ante", a very small bet that ensures there is some money in the pot.
Deal
All players are then dealt three cards, where two are face down ("hole" cards) and the third is face up ("door" card).
Opening the Betting - the "Bring-in"
The player with the lowest card displayed (the "door" card) is required to make the bring-in bet, which can be half the small bet or a full small bet (i.e. if stakes are $5/$10, the bring-in can be $2.50 or $5). If two or more players have the same lowest card, the bring-in will be the lowest suit. Suits are ranked from low to high in alphabetical order: clubs, diamonds, hearts, and spades.
Third Street - 1st Betting Round
Once the bring-in bet has been made, each player (starting with the player to the left of the bring-in) can fold, call, or raise to the betting limit.
Fourth Street
Everyone is dealt another card face up. The player with the highest exposed cards or pair starts the betting. The lower bet still applies ($5). On this round of betting only, if any player has an open pair, then a player can open with a double bet ($10).
Fifth Street
Everyone is dealt another exposed card. The player with the highest exposed hand starts the betting round. Only high bets apply ($10 in example).
Sixth Street
Everyone is dealt another exposed card. Again, the player with the highest combination of up cards starts the betting. Only high bets apply ($10 in example)
Seventh Street or "River"
The final seventh card dealt face down. The player who started the sixth round starts this final betting round. If 1 one or more players remain it goes to a showdown.
Showdown
The player with the best five card hand wins.