Objective
Make the strongest five-card high hand from your own seven cards, or win by folds. Four cards are exposed and three remain private.
Setup and forced bets
There are no blinds or community cards. Every player antes, then receives two downcards and one upcard on third street.
Seven-Card Stud rules step by step
- 1
Post the antes
Every seated player contributes an ante before the deal.
- 2
Deal third street
Each player receives two private downcards and one exposed upcard. The required bring-in opens the betting.
- 3
Deal fourth street
Each live player receives a second exposed card, followed by a fixed-limit betting round.
- 4
Deal fifth street
Each live player receives a third exposed card. The larger fixed bet applies from this street.
- 5
Deal sixth street
Each live player receives a fourth exposed card, followed by another betting round.
- 6
Deal seventh street
Each live player receives one final private downcard. The last betting round follows.
- 7
Choose the best five of seven
At showdown, players form the strongest standard five-card high hand from their seven individual cards.
Seven-Card Stud hand rankings: strongest to weakest
- Rank 1
Royal Flush
A-K-Q-J-10 in one suit: the highest possible straight flush.
- Rank 2
Straight Flush
Five consecutive ranks in one suit. Compare the highest card.
- Rank 3
Four of a Kind
Four cards of one rank, plus one kicker.
- Rank 4
Full House
Three cards of one rank plus two cards of another rank.
- Rank 5
Flush
Five cards in one suit that are not consecutive.
- Rank 6
Straight
Five consecutive ranks in mixed suits.
- Rank 7
Three of a Kind
Three cards of one rank plus two unmatched cards.
- Rank 8
Two Pair
Two cards of one rank, two of another, plus one kicker.
- Rank 9
One Pair
Two cards of one rank plus three unmatched cards.
- Rank 10
High Card
No made hand above; compare the highest cards in order.
Strategy and best tips
Remember folded upcards
Exposed cards that leave the hand are unavailable. Track them to judge whether your pair, straight, or flush cards are still live.
Start with live, coordinated cards
Pairs, three-card straight possibilities, and three-card flushes improve when few matching ranks or suits are visible elsewhere.
Respect stronger visible boards
An opponent’s paired or highly coordinated upcards are public information. Medium made hands lose value against obvious strength.
Use the bring-in carefully
Completing with a real starting hand and stealing when boards are weak are different decisions. Avoid defending the bring-in automatically.
Reassess on fifth street
The bet size increases and three upcards reveal more of each hand. Marginal chases become more expensive.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Forgetting which needed cards are already visible.
- Playing weak starting hands against paired or coordinated boards.
- Calling the larger fifth-street bet with too few ways to improve.
- Reading only your own cards and ignoring exposed opponent information.
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