7 Card stud poker

7 -Card stud involves the knowledge of strategies, skill and certain mathematical abilities. It also involves time and patience in order to become a champion. The specialists in this game are rare, but they have the common trait with the beginners: they keep learning.

Basic principles

Limitations on stakes
Stud games are divided into types according to stakes. On-line casino proposes $2-$4 for beginners, $8-$16 or $10-$20 for advanced level. In Land Casino I have seen the stakes of $100-$200 and higher, but this is rare stake for on line casinos.

The Buy-in:
To begin play, you must first buy chips, either from the brush at the podium or from the dealer. You`ll almost always be asked for at least a $20 buy-in in a typical $2-4 game, though smaller card rooms will let you in for $10.

Game choice

Stakes below $10-$20 are for the beginners. You have to be much skill to play by higher stakes.

Ante
Ante is the initial stake. Its size depends on the table`s limit. Stakes below $10 are for the beginners, ante is $0.5 in this case. Ante may amount to 25%, 10% is a minimum.

Dealing
We will use the stakes of $10-$20 as an example. Ante will be $1, (i.e. 10%). The dealer deals out cards clockwise starting from the left. He deals out till every player has two concealed cards (pocket cards) and one exposed card (door card). Then he determines the player who will start the game. The first player should have the lowest exposed card. If two or more players have the equal cards, the suit is of importance: spades are the highest suit, then hearts go, diamonds, clubs are the lowest.

Betting
At the moment each player has 3 cards, let us call it (third street).

Third street
The player with the lowest card comes into the game with a stake (ante)õ2, i.e. $2. If he refuses to do it by any reason, he is forced to fold and the player to his left comes into the game. The next player may either call, i.e. to add money to the pot or to raise by $10 or to fold. More details are given in chapter stakes in poker. During the third round the stake is limited to $10.

Fourth Street
The dealer deals out one more card. The player with the best combination of cards starts the game. Players may check or bet. Stakes are limited to $10, the stake of $10 fixes all other stakes for the round to $10.

If the first player has a pair of exposed cards he may stake $20.

Fifth and Sixth Street
One more card is added. Stakes are limited to $20.

Seventh street
The last card is given face down and called river. Stakes are limited to $20.

Showdown
After the seventh street, the player who started it exposes his concealed cards. Others follow his example. One can give in and not expose cards.

In casino the dealer declares the winner determined according to the best combination of 5 cards (out of his 7 cards).