5 Card Stud

Five Card Stud is the original of the Stud Poker games. It is similar to 7 Card Stud with a few variations:

• 1. Up to 10 people can play.
• 2. Only one card is dealt face up.
• 3. The rounds are 3rd, 4th, 5th and The River.

Ante
At the start of the game each player must put in a mandatory and set amount of chips into the pot, the "Ante", to ensure that there will be money in the pot.

First Deal
After everyone puts in the ante they are dealt 2 cards, one face up one face down. There are no community cards in 5 card stud. These cards are dealt by the dealer clockwise around the table.

Opening the Betting
The betting is opened by a token bet called the bring-in. The player with the lowest-ranking face up card places this bet. If there are 2 players with the same lowest card then the bring-in is determined by the suit in alphabetical order (clubs, diamonds, hearts and spades). Once the bring-in has been made each player, starting with the player to the left of the bring-in then has a choice to fold, call or raise.

Third Street
Everyone is dealt their second face up card. The next round of betting is started by the player who has the 2 highest face up cards. In this round of betting if a player has an open pair they can make a double bet.

Fourth Street
Players are dealt another face up card. The player with the highest combination of up cards starts the betting.

Fifth Street or The River
Players are dealt their final face up card, making it a total of 4 face up cards and one pocket card. The player who has the highest ranking hand starts the final round of betting.

Showdown
Players now show their hands and the player who was the last to bet will reveal their cards first, followed by the other players clockwise. The player with the best 5 card hand wins the pot. If two or more players have the same hand the pot is split.

For definitions on terms please visit the glossary.