Five Card Stud Rules

Five Card Stud is played very similar to 7 Card Stud. The obvious difference is that each player receives; you guessed it, 5 cards. The first is dealt face down with the four following cards dealt face up

Ante

You like all other players must ante before any cards are dealt. The amount of the ante reflects that table limits...the lower the limit, the lower the ante. $0.50/$1.00 tables have no ante, $10.00/$20.00 tables have a $1.00 ante.

Betting

You are dealt one down card, hole card, and one up card. The player showing the lowest card by suit (highest - spades, hearts, diamonds, clubs - lowest) must bring-in the first round of betting with a forced bet of half the lower limit. Don't worry too much about who goes first, etc., as the software will prompt the player who is to begin the betting. The next player to act, left of the first better, can 'complete' the bet, call or fold. After the initial betting round, three more up cards are delivered, with a round of betting after each card. In our 5 Stud game, a bet and three raises are allowed. The final raise is capped and the only options you have are to call or fold at this point.

Betting Structure. The stakes being offered at the particular table determines the limit or maximum bet on any player's turn. For example, at a $1-$2 table, the limit on any bet is $1 on the first two betting rounds and $2 on the final two betting rounds. We allow one bet and 3 raises in our card room.

Noteworthy: The betting action of the first two rounds is set at the lower limit of the table structure. The exception of this rule is when a player shows a pair after the 3rd street. All players have the option to bet the higher limit for the second round of betting. If a player does bet the higher limit, subsequent bets must also be at the higher limit. The last two rounds of betting are at the higher limit.

The Showdown: The first person to show their hand is the last person to show strength with a bet or raise. All 5 cards are used at showdown. The player holding the best poker hand wins the pot. Should multiple hands tie, the pot is split with any odd amount going to the player nearest the 'D' button's left.