7 Card Stud is yet another very exciting version of traditional and online poker. Although it is not as popular as Texas Holdem, many 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).

The basics of 7 card stud
7 Card Stud rules generally allow for a maximum of eight players. 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, the next four face up and the last one face down once again.

Ante Up
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.

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 Holdem, the first two cards are known as the 'Hole Cards.' The third, 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.

7 card stud rules - betting rounds
All bets and raises taking place during the first two betting rounds of 7 card stud 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 hand.

In case of a tie, 7 card stud rules require the player seated to the immediate left of the dealer 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 face down, this is referred to as 'Seventh Street' or the 'River.'

The showdown
Following the River, everyone shows their hands 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)!