Seven Card Stud Poker (Rules)

Seven Card Stud
Introduction
Seven Card Stud, a version of Poker for between 2-10 players, is today among the most popular variations of Poker. The game has gained popularity, both in the US and abroad, due to its classic Poker style and simple game rules.
A hand of Seven Card Stud consists of up to five Betting Rounds. Initially, each player places an "Ante" (opening Bet) to "seed" the Pot. Each player is then dealt two initial, private, facedown "Hole Cards" and one, face up "Door Card". Players who remain active (do not Fold), throughout an entire hand of Seven Card Stud, will receive a total of three facedown cards and four face up cards.
After the fifth and final Betting Round is complete, there is a "Showdown". The player who creates the highest ranking (valued), five card, Poker hand, using any combination of five of their seven total cards, wins the Pot.


The Blind Bets
Before the first deal of the cards, each player "Sitting-in" places an initial Ante (opening Bet), in the center of the table, to "seed" the Pot.
The Hole and Door Cards - The First Deal
The Dealer distributes two facedown "Hole Cards" and one face up "Door Card". The cards are dealt in a clockwise fashion, one at a time, starting with the first player to the left of the Dealer.

The First Betting Round Betting Limit:
1/2 of the Table's Lower Limit Stake
The player with the lowest ranking (valued) Door Card showing, by suit, initiates the first Betting Round. This player is required to Bet no less than the "Bring-in" amount (half of the table's Lower Limit Stake), up to the table's Lower Limit Stake. The Betting Round then proceeds, in a clockwise fashion, around the table, with each player acting in turn.

"Fourth Street" - The Second Deal
Each active player (has not Folded), is dealt one additional card, face up.

The Second Betting Round Betting Limit: Lower Limit Stake
The active player with the highest ranking card(s) showing initiates the second Betting Round. The Betting Round then proceeds, in a clockwise fashion, around the table, with each player acting in turn.
The Betting in this Round is set at the table's Lower Limit Stake;
In the event that a player is "Showing" a Pair, with their two face up cards, at the beginning of the second Betting Round, players have the option to Bet in multiples of either that table's Lower or Higher Limit Stake. If a player Bets at the table's Higher Limit Stake, all following players are required to continue Betting at the table's Higher Limit Stake.

"Fifth Street" - The Third Deal
Each active player is dealt one additional card, face up.

The Third Betting Round Betting Limit: Higher Limit Stake
The active player with the highest ranking card(s) showing initiates the third Betting Round. The Betting Round then proceeds, in a clockwise fashion, around the table, with each player acting in turn. The Betting in this Round is set at the table's Higher Limit Stake.

"Sixth Street" - The Fourth Deal
Each active player is dealt one additional card, face up.

The Fourth Betting Round Betting Limit: Higher Limit Stake
The active player with the highest ranking card(s) showing initiates the fourth Betting Round. The Betting Round then proceeds, in a clockwise fashion, around the table, with each player acting in turn. The Betting in this Round is set at the table's Higher Limit Stake.

"The River" - The Fifth and Final Deal
Each active player is dealt one additional card, face down.
Occasionally, there are not enough cards in the deck to give each player their own final seventh card, the River, face down. In this case, one card will be placed, face up, in the center of the table. This "Community Boardcard" is shared by all active players.

The Fifth and Final Betting Round Betting Limit: Higher Limit Stake
The active player with the highest ranking card(s) showing initiates the fifth Betting Round. The Betting Round then proceeds, in a clockwise fashion, around the table, with each player acting in turn. The Betting in this Round is set at the table's Higher Limit Stake.

The Showdown
Once the fifth Betting Round has been completed, there is a "Showdown" (if more than one player remains active - see the Showdown below). In the Showdown, each active player combines any five of their seven total cards, to create the highest ranking, five card, Poker hand possible (see the Hand Ranking Chart section of this site). The active player who creates the highest ranking Poker hand wins the Pot, minus the Rake.