Although 5 Card Stud poker is not as popular as other poker variations, such as Texas Holdem or 7 Card Stud, it is still a game played by many poker lovers. From traditional poker rooms to online poker destinations, it can be found virtually anywhere. It could be that 5 card stud poker rules, which are very simple, is part of the reason it has lost some steam. With only one pocket card being dealt face down, there is not much room for surprise.

The Basics

Learning 5 Card Stud Poker rules is easy. First and foremost, the game uses the same card rankings as any other traditional poker game. The number of players seated at a table may range from 2 to 10. All active players must place an 'ante' to help build the pot. After all players place the ante, each receives two cards into their pocket. One card is dealt face down for only the player to see and the other one face up for everyone to take note of.

5 card stud poker rules dictate that the player who holds the weakest exposed pocket card is required to make a bring-in. The 'bring-in' is a mandatory wager of either half the minimum bet or full bet (depending on a player's decision) one needs to make in order to begin the game. After the bring-in wager is over with, a round of betting begins. All the other players can either call the opening wager, raise it, check or fold their hands in clockwise order. The maximum allowed number of wagers players can make during any round of betting is four.

Lets see some more cards

After the first betting round is complete, all active players are dealt another face up card. At this point, 5 card stud poker rules state that the player with the strongest face up card must launch the betting round, also known as Third Street. If a pair appears in any hand on Third Street, the player holding the pair is allowed to double the amount of his bet. Other than that, all bets and raises made on Third Street are limited to the game's small stake.

Following Third Street the all players are dealt another exposed card. Much like in the previous round of betting a player with the highest exposed card launches the betting action, called Fourth Street. For this and the next round of betting, the wager amount is established in accordance to the game's higher stake. Once the Fourth Street action is over, each remaining player receives one final exposed card. This means that all players have five cards each, four exposed ones and a single hidden one.

The Finale - Fifth Street

The last round of betting, Fifth Street, takes place. The player with the strongest up card is the one to make the first move. All the wagers are limited to the upper stake. After the final round of betting is complete, the showdown takes place. All the players expose their hands and the winner is determined. The victorious player collects the jackpot! Because at the end almost an entire hand is shown, it is relatively simple to see how you fare versus your opponents.