Seven Card Stud Poker
Seven card stud is an immensely popular variation of poker. Two down cards and one up card are dealt to each poker player. Then four more cards are dealt, three up and the last one down, with a betting turn after each card. Each player makes the best five-card hand out of the seven that they’re dealt. Seven card stud is a fun version for several reasons, not the least of which is the amount of rounds of betting. The five rounds of betting add another layer of strategy to the more common four rounds. Also, the additional round adds a bit more intrigue to the pot as well.
Strategy changes as well, since each poker player’s up cards gives you an insight into what each player may or may not be holding. An ability to quickly scan each player’s up cards and deduce his hole cards is a huge asset in this version of poker. Players who are used to Texas Hold ‘Em may find the lack of common cards to be disorienting, as they have to evaluate different up cards for each player, rather than the same five for each one. With a bit of practice, you should be able to pick up on the changes and adjust your play accordingly.
