5 Card Stud Playing Rules

The game of 5 Card Stud has become nearly extinct in the poker world, especially at online poker rooms, as there simply isn't enough suspense in the game to keep players interested. With only one down (hole) card there is little doubt as to what other players have and low hands traditionally win the pot. While 5 Card Stud is still around at the odd poker room, its predecessor 7 Card Stud far more popular.

A game of 5 card stud is played as follows:

All the players ante up before the deal (the amount of the ante varies depending on the table limits).
All players are dealt two cards, one card face down (the 'hole' card) and one card face up.
Bets are placed, starting with the player showing the highest valued card.
Each player receives another card, face up.
There is another round of betting.
Each player receives another card, face up.
More betting, but now the minimum is doubled.
Each player receives their last card, face up.
The final bets are placed.

After the final betting round the hands are called and the person with the highest hand wins the pot.

Betting Note: 5-Card Stud is different from Texas Hold'em and Omaha Poker in that the player with the highest ranking face up card bets first for that round irregardless of their position to the dealer. The betting then goes clockwise around the table.