Basics of 5 Card Stud Poker

5 Card Stud Poker is one of those games that has confused some people. Whenever you talk about it, people say something like "dont you mean 7-Card Stud?" or "is that not the same as Draw Poker?" But 5-Card Stud poker is a game unto itself although you wont see it played much these days apart from private home games and a hand ful of online poker rooms. There are a few good reasons why this is so. Let's briefly cover the basics of 5 card stud poker.

Compared to 7 card stud, Betting Limits, Buy-In, Bankroll and The Ante and Deal are all pretty much the same. Bear in mind that because 5-Card Stud Poker is not often played in the casinos, there are various different rules. 5 Card Stud is thus mostly played as a social game these days, so the rules can change according to each individual player's preference.

5 Card Stud Betting Rounds

The first round begins with the dealer giving each player two cards. In old school games, the first is a pocket (hidden) card and the second is open (face up). There are differences on this and we'll see why soon in our explanation about 5 card stud poker below.

The first round of betting begins. Low card starting points is standard but it's not uncommon for high card to come up first. The game progresses the same way regardless. The betting round circles the table and it's on to Third Street.

The third card is then dealt to each player as an open card. Betting typically follows. Fourth Street comes and another open card, typically played per 7 Stud's Fifth and Sixth Street (High Limit bets). Fifth Street The final card, usually also an open card. Betting as per 7 Stud's Seventh Street (High Limit bets).

Its often the case where we have also seen games where Fifth Street was dealt as a pocket card. The problem with playing 5 card stud is that there's not much doubt as to what a player is holding. Furthermore, since there are only 5 cards per player and no dis-cards, most hands are going to be rather low, mostly pairs and hi cards.

At least in Draw Poker the player gets a chance to increase their hand by drawing new cards. Not so in 5 card Stud: you're stuck with what you get and the other players can usually see most of that. Even basic players will read the cards fast and early. They'll either drop or be going for the pot and it's tough to take anyone but a newbie along for the latter streets. A the end of the day, it's considered a slow game for anything but social events and "friendly" poker parties.

In our personal opinions, the more interesting 5 Stud games we've played are those where there are 2 pocket cards. Sometimes it's 1st and last card, sometimes the 2 opening cards with the player on the dealer's left is opening the bets.

Ultimately, these variations are simply attempts to add a little excitement and suspense to 5 card stud poker. In general, the hands are still going to be low. And the extra pocket card just allows for a little more bluffing and the possibility of bigger pots. The fact that even these variations only appear in social games tells the same story as before: 5 Card Stud is not a very popular game to be played.