Seven Card Stud @ Poker-Play.com

Seven-card stud is a poker game in which each player begins with an initial hand of two down-cards and one up-card.  After this primary deal, the first betting round commences, followed by another dealt up-card.  This process (minus the dealing of the primary hand) is repeated two more times.  This is followed by a single dealt face-down card, leading into a final betting round.  The highest ranked five-card poker hand wins the pot.  In all fixed-limit games, the smaller bet is placed on the first two betting rounds, and the larger bet is placed on the fifth, sixth, and seventh cards. If there is an open pair on the fourth card, any player has the option of making the smaller or larger bet. If a player intentionally alters the order of their up-cards in a stud game, their action is deemed unethical and will be penalized.   

SEVEN CARD STUD OBJECTIVE: To hold the highest ranked five card poker hand.

Players may use any five of their seven cards to mold the highest possible ranked hand.

RULES OF SEVEN-CARD STUD

1. The first round of wagering begins with a forced bet placed by the lowest up-card, according to suit. On following betting rounds, the high hand initiates the action.  If there is a tie, then the player who was dealt cards to first gets to act first.   

2. The player who has the forced bet has the choice of opening for a full bet.

3. Increasing the amount of the opening forced bet so that it equates to a full bet, will not deem the wager as a raise, but as a bet completion.   

4. In all fixed-limit poker games in which an open pair is showing on fourth street (the second up-card), any player has the choice of wagering either the lower or upper limit. 

5. If a players first or second hole-card is unintentionally revealed by the dealer, then the door-card must be dealt face-down. If both hole-cards are accidentally dealt face-up (exposed) the players hand is deemed 'dead' and mst be given their anti back from the pot.  If the first exposed card would have been the low-card, the first action begins with the first hand to that player’s left. That player has the option of folding, opening for the forced bet, or opening for a full bet. Only In tournament play, is an exposed down-card deemed a misdeal. 

6. If a player is not physically present at the playing table when it is time to act on their hand, their ante will be relinquished.

7. If a hand is folded when there is no wager, that seat will still continue to receive cards until the current hand is killed from a bet.

8. If a player is all in for the ante, and happens to possess the low-card, the player to their left acts first. That player has the options of folding, opening for the forced bet, or opening for a full bet.

9. If the improper player is deemed low, and that same player sets a bet - supposing the next player in turn has not acted yet - the action of the low player will be changed to represent the true low-card.  The improper low-card must then take back the wager, while the true low-card is required to bet.  However, if the next player in turn has acted, then the bet on the improper low-card still stands and regular play continues on.  

10. If a player lifts their up-cards without, while they are confronted with a wager, this action will be deemed a fold, and the hand will be declared 'dead'. 

11. A card accidentally dealt off the table will be played as required by the playing regulations of exposed cards.  

12. In all games, the dealer will declare the low-card, high hand, all raises and all pairs. Dealers do not verbally declare potential straights or flushes.

13. If the dealer accidentally burns two cards for one round, or fails to burn at least one card, then the cards will be returned to their rightful place if means allow.  If this should happen on the dealing of the final down-card, and that card gets mixed with the players other cards, then the deal will remain in effect.   

14. If the dealer accidentally burns and deals one or more cards before the completion of a round of betting, the card/cards must be removed from play. After the betting for that particular round is finished, a subsequent card is likewise removed from each player who is still active in the current hand.  When this betting round is completed, the dealer will burn an additional card, and the game will resume.  The removed cards are placed to the side in case the dealer falls short on cards.  Once again, if the final face-down card was a prematurely dealt card and was mixed with the players other cards, then the deal will remain in effect.  Since 'premature' in this case would designate that the card was dealt before the final betting round - and would give the player seven cards - the player could not place a bet or raise on the round.   

15. If there is not a sufficient amount of cards remaining in the deck for all players, the cards will be re-dealt, except for the last card, which is combined with the burn-cards and any hitherto removed cards from the deck.  In situations where there are still not enough cards for players still without the proper number of cards, the dealer will not burn cards in order to get a fresh card to each player.   If there still will not be sufficient cards for the remaining players, the dealer will verbally announce to the table that a 'common card' will be played, which consists of a face-up card set in the middle of the table, which all the players will use in their hand.  

16. An all-in player must receive their hole-cards facedown.  However,  if the last hole-card dealt to that player is face-up, the card must be played regardless, followed by the other players receiving their cards.

17. If the dealer unintentionally  turns the final card face-up to any player, the hand that is currently high with the up-cards will begin the action. 

18.  If there are more than two players remaining in a game, they will all receive their final card face-down. A player whose last card was dealt face-up has the choice of acting all-in, as long as the betting round has not been initiated.    

19.  If there are just two players remaining, and the first player's final down-card is dealt face-up, then the second player's final down-card is required to be dealt face-up as well.  The betting round would follow in normal procedure.  If the situation was reversed, in which the second player was dealt a face-up card, then that player has the choice of acting all-in before wagering takes place.  

20. A hand that contains more than seven cards is deemed 'dead'.  Vice versa, a hand containing less than seven cards at the showdown is likewise labeled 'dead'.  

21. A player who calls a bet, even though they were beaten by another player's up-cards, is not eligible for a chip refund.