7-Card Stud is yet another very exciting version of traditional and online poker. Although it is not as popular as Texas Hold 'em, many poker players would tell you that 7-Card Stud is as, if not more, challenging. 7-Card Stud rules are slightly different from Texas Hold 'em rules. For starters, there are no 'Community Cards,' meaning no cards dealt face up for all players to share. Then, there is the fact that instead of two face down cards, players receive three of them (the first two plus the last one). Somewhat confusing, huh? Don't worry, we are here to make all this confusion go away. Here goes a detailed explanation on how to play 7-Card Stud.

The basics

7-Card Stud allows only 8 or less players at the game table at once. The game features five betting rounds, not including the first forced bet (the ante). Each poker player, starting from the one seated to the left of the dealer, receives two cards face down, next four cards face up and the last card face down once again.

Antes

Each participating player is required to place an ante into the pot before he is dealt his first three cards. The ante is typically 10% of the small bet. For instance, in a $0.25-$0.50 game the required ante is five cents. In a $2-$4 game the ante is 25 cents. In a $40-$80 game the ante is five dollars. The logic is clear, right?

The game begins

After the antes have been placed in the pot, the dealer deals each player two cards face down and one card face up. Exactly as in Texas Hold 'em, the first two cards are known as the 'Hole Cards.' The third exposed card, however, bears another name; the 'Door Card.' The 7-Card Stud player with the lowest exposed card is the first to act by placing a bet that is either 50% of the lower limit or 100%. This starting bet is known as the 'Bring-in.' For instance, in a $1-$2 game, the player holding the lowest exposed card may bet either $0.50 or $1.

The betting rounds

All bets and raises taking place during the first two betting rounds are set at the lower value of the game's predetermined limit. After the first round of betting, which is started by the lowest Door Card player, all subsequent betting rounds kick off with the player who holds the strongest card/hand. In case of a tie, the player seated to the immediate left of the dealer is the one to open the following betting round. After the first betting round is completed, each player is dealt their fourth card placed face up. All bets and raises during the last three betting rounds are set in the higher value of the game's predetermined limit. Before the third and forth betting rounds each player receives another exposed card. However, before the fifth and final betting round begins each players is dealt one more card face down. This seventh card is referred to as the 'Seventh Street' or the 'River.')

The showdown

All cards are exposed and the winner is determined. The lucky player with the strongest poker hand can now collect the pot.

7-Card Stud is a game that requires players to be extremely cautious. Although there are no 'Community Cards,' the game features four exposed cards for all players to see. Remember, if you can't beat the exposed part of your opponent's hand, there is absolutely no way you can beat the entire hand (concealed cards included)!