7 Card Stud Poker

The History of Seven Card Stud Poker

There are all kinds of conflicting opinions relating to the exact place of birth of seven card stud. The game has a long history and has undergone a few facelifts.

However, despite the uncertainty, it is widely believed that seven card stud was born out of a cross-continental combination of two existing card games: the classical Persian game Nas and the classical French game Poque.

While seven card stud may have been birthed from a mixture of influences, it truly found its feet in The United States.

First achieving mass popularity with casino gamers in the 1830s, modern seven card stud poker was widely played across the country following its initial popularity in New Orleans and the surrounding states.

Due to the prominence of stud poker gameplay during the civil war, the game quickly spread across the country and dominated throughout the rest of the century.

By the 1900s, the game of seven card stud poker had reached enormous levels of popularity as the number one poker game of choice with American gamers.

It was not until the end of that century (in the 1980s) with the ascension of Hold ‘Em poker games that seven card stud poker was finally knocked off the top spot.

Along with five card stud, seven card stud poker has served as the basis for all modern stud poker games.

Along with seven card stud poker in its classic format, there are heaps of weird and wonderful stud poker variations that have been crafted over the years. These include games such as six card stud, Mexican stud, Caribbean stud, Hi-Lo stud and Razz.

Less common stud games and regional stud poker variations include games such as The Bitch, Cowpie Poker, Scandinavian stud, English stud, Show Hand, Auction, Draft, Dr Pepper, Telesina and Southside stud.

While the trajectory of seven card stud may have wavered slightly in recent decades, the game is still widely played. Seven card stud poker is available to enjoy on all reputable online poker gaming platforms and has begun to regain status in recent years.

Seven Card Stud Poker Rules

The rules of seven card stud poker are simple. The game has the same betting options as the majority of similar poker variations. So, just as in Texas Hold ‘Em, seven card stud players are allowed to either fold, bet, call or raise in each betting round.

Seven card stud poker uses a standard 52 card deck. Just like in most poker games, the Ace can be used as either a high card or a low card.

However, because the game of seven card stud poker can be played by up to 8 players and the standard card deck only contains 52 cards, it is possible for the card deck to run out before the laying of the seventh street.

In this case, an extra community card will be dealt face-up on the table, which can be shared by all remaining players to complete the round and resolve the game.

Seven card stud poker requires each player to pay an ‘ante’ into the game. This ante serves as a kind of entry fee to the game. The winner takes the antes along with the pot at the end of the showdown.

Seven Card Stud Poker Strategy

Like most types of poker, seven card stud poker provides its players with plenty of room for stylistics and tactical play as well as the potential for strategic thinking.

In seven card stud poker, strategy can be used to improve your chances of winning the game by either knocking other opponents from the table, exposing card weaknesses or constructing the best poker hand.

The approach you take to the stud poker table can make the difference between winning and losing the game, so always think carefully when playing, especially when playing a real-money game. The majority of seven card stud players tend to play ‘loosely,’ which entails taking risks, betting big and playing as many hands as you can.

While loose poker play may be a risky strategy in the context of a seven card stud game, it is nonetheless the playing style of most stud players due to the unpredictable edge that it brings to the game.

Sample Showdown

The seven card stud poker hand ranking system is exactly the same as that of Texas Hold ‘Em and the vast majority of other poker games.

This means that it should not be too difficult to gauge hand strength when it comes to the showdown.

Here are a selection of showdown hands, ranked in descending order of value:

• Royal Flush – 10, Jack, Queen, King and Ace of the same suit.
• Straight Flush – Five cards of the same suit in sequential order (2,3,4,5,6 of hearts)
• Four of a Kind –Any four numerically matching cards (4 of spades, 4 of hearts, 4 of clubs, 4 of diamonds)
• Full House –One pair plus three of a kind (2,2 & 3,3,3)
• Flush – Any five cards of the same suit (3,4,5,6,7 of Hearts)
• Straight – Any five cards running in order (3,4,5,6,7)
• Three of a Kind – Any three cards of the same value (3,3,3)
• Two Pair – Two pairs combined within one hand (2,2 & 3,3)
• One Pair – Any two cards of the same value (3,3)
• High Card – Single highest card in a hand

Seven Card Stud Poker Popularity

The game of seven card stud poker has maintained its popularity for centuries.

Although the game’s popularity has declined over the years, there is no question that seven card stud has always had pulling power and that it will continue to pull in the punters for many years to come.

Any poker player who enjoys playing online is bound to come across seven card stud poker. This is because seven card stud is always present on respectable online casinos’ game rosters due to its cemented position as a favourite.

One of the reasons why seven card stud poker remains so popular is because it serves as the classical foundation (or core) of many mixed poker games.

This means that any player with aspirations of dominating the mixed H.O.R.S.E. games niche would benefit greatly from getting their head around seven card stud and similar stud poker variations.

Similar Poker Games

The world of online poker has been dominated by no-limit Hold ‘Em in recent years, so Hold ‘Em players are lucky that seven card stud poker shares many of the same characteristics.

In fact, the game of seven card stud poker has plenty in common with all kinds of popular poker games that are played online.

Take a closer look at some of the most important differences that exist between the two games and the check out some of the contrasting characteristics that you can use to differentiate no-limit Hold ‘Em and seven card stud poker before playing.

Firstly, seven card stud poker is usually played as a limit poker game, which means that the size of bets is fixed with a maximum value amount. While there are also plenty of fixed-limit Hold ‘Em games, no-limit Hold ‘Em is more popular.

Another key difference to keep in mind is that a game of stud will typically feature five betting rounds, while a game of no-limit Hold ‘Em will typically feature four.