7-Card Stud Poker is a form of the more commonly known game of 5-card stud poker. The game was considered to be the most widely played form of Poker in US casinos, as well as in millions of homes across America. This, of course, until the incredibly popular game of Texas Holdem poker appeared on the gambling scenes, both in live casinos and at the hundreds upon hundreds of online poker rooms.

As Many as 8 Players at One Table
In a game of 7-Card Stud Poker, anywhere from two to eight players are free to participate. Also, every round of dealing is followed by a round of betting. The betting order runs clockwise and the player having the best poker hand showing starts the game. If the game is played with a bring-in, the poker player having the lowest-ranking card facing up pays the bring-in. Afterwards all betting continues in a clockwise manner.

A game of 7-Card Stud Poker begins with each player being dealt 2 cards face down and one card face up. Next, players place their bets. Another upcard is dealt to each player followed by another round of betting by all those contestants who have not yet folded their hands. This routine is repeated for two more rounds, followed by one down card being dealt to each player (still in the game).

Also Known as ‘2-Down, 4-Up, 1-Down'
The wildly popular game of 7-Card Stud Poker is also often referred to as "2 down, 4 up, 1 down". Come the showdown, each poker player still competing in the hand attempts to build their best 5-card poker hand he/she can from the 7 cards that were dealt.

As mentioned earlier, anywhere from two to eight players can compete in a 7-Card Stud Poker. However, when dealing 7 cards to as many as 8 players, along with 4 burn cards, you get a total of 60 cards. A standard deck only has 52 cards. However, with as many as eight players playing simultaneously, because some players are likely to fold before the seventh card is dealt, the likelihood of the entire deck being exhausted is rare.

In contrast to the game of draw poker, in which no cards are ever exposed prior to the showdown, 7-Card Stud Poker players can capitalise on what information is available. For instance, because some cards are dealt face up, you, the player can use this info to form strategic decisions to improve your odds of winning each hand.

• 7-Card Stud Rules
• Tips for 7-Card Stud Players