Stud Hi Rules

What this word means at the table

Stud Hi is the most common form of stud poker, typically played as Seven-Card Stud. In this variant, each player receives a combination of face-down and face-up cards over multiple betting rounds. The objective is to make the best five-card poker hand using any combination of the seven cards dealt. All standard poker hand rankings apply, from high card to royal flush.

Basic Rules

Dealing

• Ante: Each player posts a forced ante before cards are dealt.
• Third Street: Each player receives two cards face-down (hole cards) and one card face-up (door card). The player with the lowest-ranking door card (by rank, then suit) must bring in (make a forced bet). Suit ranking is typically clubs (lowest), diamonds, hearts, spades (highest) for this purpose.
• Fourth Street: A second face-up card is dealt to each remaining player. Betting begins with the player showing the best (highest) visible hand.
• Fifth Street: A third face-up card is dealt. Betting rounds follow.
• Sixth Street: A fourth face-up card is dealt. Betting rounds follow.
• Seventh Street (River): One final card is dealt face-down to each active player. A final betting round occurs.

Betting Structure

• Limit Format: Stud Hi is often played as a fixed-limit game. For example, in a $10/$20 game, bets and raises on Third and Fourth Streets are $10, while Fifth, Sixth, and Seventh Streets are $20.
• Bring-In: The forced bet by the player with the lowest upcard on Third Street. It is typically a fraction of the small bet (e.g., $2 in a $10/$20 game).
• Check-Raising: Allowed in most stud games.

Hand Ranking

Standard poker hand rankings are used. In Stud Hi, there is no split pot; the best hand wins all. Ties are broken by the rank of the cards, and if necessary, the highest suit (spades) in the tied hand.

Key Differences from Stud Hi-Lo

• In Stud Hi (or simply Seven-Card Stud), the pot goes entirely to the highest hand.
• In Stud Hi-Lo (Seven-Card Stud Hi-Lo), the pot is split between the highest and lowest hands (with an 8 or better qualifier for low).

Strategy Notes

• Starting Hands: Favor high pairs (especially split pairs, where the door card matches a hole card) and three-card flushes or straights.
• Reading Opponents: Since many cards are face-up, you can deduce opponents' draws and potential holdings.
• Dead Cards: Visible cards that are out of play affect the probability of improving your hand. For example, if you need a flush and several cards of that suit are visible, your odds decrease.

Example Hand

• At a $10/$20 Stud Hi table, Player A shows a King, Player B shows a 7, and Player C shows a 2. Player C must bring in for $2. Betting proceeds around the table, with raises up to the limit. The final five-card hand might be Kings full of Tens vs. a straight, with the full house winning.

What to remember at the table

Stud Hi Rules form the basis of traditional seven-card stud, a classic poker variant still popular in mixed games and home games. Understanding the deal structure, betting limits, and hand rankings is essential for play.