Royal Vegas Poker

How To Play 7-Card Stud

7-Card Stud is one of the most fashionable types of poker played around. However, to play 7 card properly, one needs patience and skill. As a good player you'll need to know when to hold them and and when to fold them . Staying in the game can get expensive because of the number of cards and betting rounds. If you don't have a good hand at the showdown it's even more expensive. 7 card stud poker pots can get quite huge because maximum bet double after the third round of betting.

7-Card Stud requires that you adjust your regular strategy because of the size of the pot and the other players. An added aspect of the game that you'll need to learn in order to win the game is to remember which cards appeared in hands that have folded. Knowing the that are no longer in play affects the chances of you getting the cards you need to complete your hand.

To begin 7 card, players place an ante on the table. The amount of the ante is determined by the card room. The ante does not apply in games where bet increments are $0.50/$1.00. Third Street is then dealt, which is two "hole" cards and one visible "door card". At this point, the player with the lowest card must "bring-in" the betting. 

During the first round of betting player options are to check, fold, bet, or raise. When the fourth card is dealt ace-up it is said to be Fourth Street. The betting round options are also to check, fold, bet, or raise. 

When the sixth card is dealt face-up it is said to be Sixth Street. Once again, betting round options are to check, fold, bet, or raise. 

When the seventh and final card is dealt face-up it is said to be the River Card. Once again, betting round options are to check, fold, bet, or raise. 

At the Showdown, if two or more Players are still trying to win the pot when the betting ends, the hands at the table are turned face-up. The two Players with the best high and low hands split the pot!

Betting

As with all other poker type, playing and betting goes around in a clockwise direction. Except in the $0.50/$1 games where there no ante, all players must first ante before they get their first cards. There are five rounds of betting rounds not including the ante. In 7-Card Stud, during the first round of betting, the player with the lowest value door card "brings-in" and starts betting. The betting is equal to at least half the minimum bet for the game. In the following betting rounds, the player with the highest hand starts the betting. If players hands are tied, the Player to the left of the dealer acts first.

Betting increments in the game determine the bets. In a game of $2 and $4 betting, the first two rounds of betting and raising are set at the lower level of $2. The betting in the other three rounds of betting and raising are set at the higher level of $4. The only exception is if any player displays a pair with their 2 face-up cards on 4th Street. If this situation occurs, all players have the option to bet either the lower limit or the higher limit. If a player bets the higher limit, then all further raises must be made at the higher limit.

The maximum allowed bets is 4 per player during any betting round. Betting a bet, raise, re-raise and a cap. Cap is the 3rd raise in a round since betting is then stopped. At the cap, no added raise are allowed. Once a cap occurs, players have can only call or fold.

 In rounds where players have folded, the first active player to the left of the dealer is first to act.

Tips For Playing 7-Card Stud

• Adjust your strategy accordingly if the cards you need to improve your hand are visible in any of your opponents hands. If you have to, fold your hand. 

• To make a flush, you need 5 of the 13 card in a suit. If the cards you need are in anotehr players hand you have no chance of them. However, if none of them are showing, it is still possible for you to be dealt those cards. 

• If you have a "big pair", it is worth betting on, unless another player is betting aggressively on what seems to be a very good hand.

• Fifth Street is a make or break point. As the bet amount doubles each round, your should be sure that your hand can win at the end of the game. This will minimize your overall losses.

• It is certainly a wise idea to fold if another player's exposed cards beat your entire hand.

• If you are trying to compete a Straight, check to see if another Player displays the cards you need and then fold if necessary. You should adjust your strategy accordingly.

• Don't be afraid to fold when necessary. Seven-Card Stud poker is a game of patience. You'll never win if you continue to bet on losing hands.

Poker Terms

• Ante - A minimum amount to be placed on the table by each player before cards are dealt.
• Bring-in - A forced beginning bet required from the player with the lowest value exposed card.
• Door Card - The first face-up card dealt to each player.
• Third Street - The first round of betting after all players have received their first 3 cards. Betting is said to start at 3rd Street, and continues to 7th street.
• Fifth Street - The fifth card dealt to each player.
• Fourth Street - The fourth card dealt to each player.
• Live Cards - Cards that are hidden, but still in play.
• River - Also known as Seventh Street it is the final face-up card dealt. 
• Seventh Street - The last card dealt to each player.
• Sixth Street - The sixth card to be dealt to each player. 
• Street - The name for the various stages of betting and receiving cards. The first three cards are dealt simultaneously at the beginning of the hand.