Stud Poker Rules — The Classic Card Game

Stud poker is the original form of poker that dominated casinos before Texas Hold'em. Unlike community card games, each player receives their own individual cards — some face-down, some face-up. This creates a game of memory, observation, and strategic betting.

🎯 The Key Difference: No Community Cards

In Stud poker, there are no shared cards. Each player builds their hand from their own seven cards (in 7-Card Stud). You must pay attention to opponents' exposed cards — they tell you what hands they're making and what cards are no longer available.

7-Card Stud — The Classic Game

7-Card Stud is the most popular stud variant. Here's how it works step by step:

Step 1: Ante & First Cards

All players post a small ante. Each player receives two face-down cards (hole cards) and one face-up card (door card).

Step 2: Third Street — Bring-In

The player with the lowest face-up card must make a forced "bring-in" bet (usually a fraction of the small bet). After the bring-in, betting proceeds clockwise with players calling, raising, or folding.

Step 3: Fourth Street

Each remaining player receives another face-up card. The player with the highest face-up hand starts the betting. Betting rounds use the "small bet" amount.

Step 4: Fifth Street

Each player receives another face-up card. The player with the highest face-up hand starts the betting. Betting now increases to the "big bet" amount.

Step 5: Sixth Street

Each player receives another face-up card. The player with the highest face-up hand starts the betting. Big bet continues.

Step 6: Seventh Street (The River)

Each player receives a final face-down card. The player with the highest face-up hand starts the final betting round. After betting, players reveal their seven cards and make the best five-card hand.

🎯 MEMORY IS KEY: In Stud poker, you must remember which cards have been folded. If you see four Aces have been folded, you know no one can make four Aces. This makes Stud a game of memory and observation.

Betting Structure in Stud Poker

Stud games typically use a fixed-limit betting structure:

Street Bet Size Notes
Third Street Small Bet (e.g., $5) Bring-in is usually half the small bet
Fourth Street Small Bet (e.g., $5) Highest hand starts betting
Fifth Street Big Bet (e.g., $10) Bets double from here
Sixth Street Big Bet (e.g., $10) Big bet continues
Seventh Street Big Bet (e.g., $10) Final betting round
💡 BRING-IN STRATEGY: The bring-in is often a weak position. If you have a low door card but a strong hidden hand (like a pair of Aces), you can raise after the bring-in to build the pot and disguise your strength.

Razz — Lowball Stud Poker

Razz is a 7-Card Stud variant where the lowest hand wins. It's one of the most popular games in mixed formats like H.O.R.S.E.

🎯 Razz Rules

  • Lowest hand wins: Ace is always low (A-2-3-4-5 is the best hand, called a wheel)
  • No straights or flushes: They don't count against you — only the rank of cards matters
  • Bring-in: Player with the highest face-up card brings in (opposite of regular Stud)
  • Best hand: A-2-3-4-5 (a wheel) is unbeatable
  • Worst hand: Any hand with a pair or cards 9-K is usually a loser
🎯 RAZZ STRATEGY: Good starting hands in Razz have three low, unpaired cards (e.g., A-2-3, 2-3-4, A-2-4). Avoid hands with high cards or pairs. The goal is to make the lowest possible five-card hand by seventh street.

Stud Poker Hand Rankings

Hand rankings are the same as Texas Hold'em — Royal Flush is best, High Card is worst. However, in Stud, you're making hands from seven cards, so straights and flushes are less common.

Rank Hand Name Example
1Royal FlushA♠ K♠ Q♠ J♠ 10♠
2Straight Flush9♦ 8♦ 7♦ 6♦ 5♦
3Four of a KindJ♠ J♣ J♦ J♥
4Full HouseK♠ K♣ K♦ 8♠ 8♥
5FlushA♠ 9♠ 7♠ 4♠ 2♠
6Straight10♠ 9♥ 8♦ 7♣ 6♠
7Three of a KindQ♠ Q♣ Q♦
8Two PairJ♠ J♣ 8♦ 8♠
9One Pair10♠ 10♣
10High CardA♠ 10♦ 8♥ 6♣ 2♠

Complete poker hand rankings →

Other Stud Variants

  • 5-Card Stud: Older variant with one down card, four up. Less common today.
  • Stud 8-or-Better (Hi-Lo): Split pot between best high hand and best qualifying low hand (8-high or lower).
  • Caribbean Stud: Casino table game where you play against the dealer, not other players.

Stud Poker Strategy Tips

  • Pay attention to exposed cards: Track which cards have been folded — they're dead and can't help you or your opponents.
  • Start with strong hands: Three to a flush or straight, high pairs, or three low cards in Razz.
  • Position matters: Acting later gives you information about opponents' actions.
  • Disguise your hand: If you have a strong hidden pair, consider raising on early streets to build the pot.
  • Know when to fold: If your hand isn't improving by Fifth Street, it's often correct to fold.
🎯 EXPERT TIP: In Stud, your opponents' up cards tell you exactly what they have. If you see three spades on the board, someone might be drawing to a flush. If you see a pair showing, someone might have trips. Use this information to make better decisions.

Where to Play Stud Poker Online

While Texas Hold'em dominates online poker, Stud games are available at many sites, especially in mixed game formats.

Casino Stud Games Mixed Games Bonus
Bovada 7-Card Stud, Razz H.O.R.S.E. $1000 poker bonus
BetOnline 7-Card Stud, Razz H.O.R.S.E., 8-Game $1000 + 50 free spins
Ignition Casino 7-Card Stud H.O.R.S.E. $2000 crypto bonus

See full poker casino rankings →

Practice Stud Poker for Free

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