7-Card Stud and Razz Rules

7-Card Stud Rules

7-Card Stud Rules

7-card stud, commonly referred to as “stud” is a great, unique game of poker.

The game starts with each player being dealt 3 cards. 2 cards are dealt face down, and 1 card face up. The player with the lowest card showing must make the first bet, known as the “bring in.” The bring in player may either bring in the lowest amount, (limp in) or make a “complete” bet. Play then continues clockwise around the table, and each player must either call, raise, or fold.

Once betting has been established around the table, a 4th card is dealt to each player face up. This is known as 4th street. Betting resumes around the table in the same manner as before, starting with the bring in player, or if the bring in player has folded, the next player to the left who is still in the pot. Play continues in the same way for 5th and 6th street. The final round in stud poker, the 7th street card is dealt to each player face down and a final round of betting ensues. Once all bets have been called, the players remaining in the pot go to showdown. They turn up their 3 hole cards to show their hands, and the player with the best poker hand wins the pot.

Stud Hi-Lo

Stud hi-lo is played the same way as stud with the defining difference that there may be two different winning hands, the lo and the high. The player with the best lo hand wins the low pot, and the player with the best high hand wins the high pot. In the event of 2 or more lo hands, the lo pot is split. If no player can make a lo hand, the player with the highest poker hand wins the whole pot. If a player has both the best poker hand and the best lo hand, they “scoop” the pot.

In order to make a lo hand, you must have 5 cards 8 or lower, pairs only count as 1 card for the lo hand. Aces are considered the lowest card for a lo hand, so the lowest possible hand is the wheel – A, 2, 3, 4, 5, which is also a straight and will often scoop the pot.

Razz

Razz is a stud game, which is to say the betting procedures, and the way the cards are dealt in razz poker is exactly the same as in stud. The only difference is that there is NO high hand. Players are playing for lo hands only. It’s a lo-ball game. However, it is not necessary to have 5 cards of 8 or less to make your hand. The lowest hand wins… simple.