Learn to Play 5-Card Stud Poker: Rules & Tips

Texas Hold’em is undoubtedly the most popular poker variant today. There are many other types as well, with 5-card stud being one of the most preferred ones back in the day.

Unfortunately, not many casinos offer this game, but if you want to be a good poker player, you must be prepared for everything.

We plan to teach you how to play 5-card stud today. It’s not difficult to learn, and acquiring new tricks and poker strategies can come in handy in the long run.

5-card stud rules are pretty straightforward, so you shouldn’t have any problems learning them.

Dealing the Cards

This variant uses a standard stud wagering structure. It means players are required to post an ante before getting their first card. Once all players put the same amount into the pot, the deal starts. The player to the dealer’s left gets the first card, while all cards are dealt face down and in a clockwise direction. The process repeats, but this time, players receive face-up cards.

The player with the lowest face-up card then has to post the bring-in, which is usually a 25% of the big get.

The bring-in player begins the initial betting round, and once wagering is completed, active players receive another face-up card. Another betting round follows. Then the fourth card is dealt, followed by another betting round. Lastly, it’s time to get the fifth card and once again place bets. The fourth and fifth cards are also dealt face up.

5-Card Stud Poker Betting

Typically, 5-card stud poker has a fixed wagering structure that doesn’t give players much manoeuvring space.

The player first posts the bring-in, while the next one has three options to choose from:

• Fold – forfeiting the round
• Call – matches the current bet
• Raise – increases the bet size

All other players have the same options, although the number of raises is usually capped to three. Still, players can agree to raise the limit. Completing the bring-in is not regarded as a raise.

Once the limit is reached, players can only call or fold.

The subsequent betting round can start after all players get their third card, called the third street. The first to act is the player showing a pair or the highest card.

Playing the Game

The first player can start with the small bet or choose to place the big one. But that’s not the only choice, as the player can check and pass the action to the player. The fourth card is dealt once all players check.

The rules stay the same, with the number of raises limited to three.

Once the game reaches the fourth and fifth streets, the atmosphere heats up. The player with the strongest combination starts the round, moving clockwise. The main difference is that these streets come with a big bet as the minimum wager.

Determining the Winner

If at least two players make it to the final betting round, the showdown will determine the winner. Players turn over their face-down cards to reveal the strongest combination. The rules for poker hand rankings are standard.

A high card is the lowest possible hand, with the royal flush being the best one. Straights are better than trips; flushes beat them both, while full houses beat flushes.