In 5 Card Stud each player antes, and then a single card is dealt, face-down. This is the hole card. Then a second card is dealt, face Up. Now a round of betting begins. Another card is dealt, followed by a round of betting. This continues until each player has a five card hand. The showdown occurs and the best hand wins.
5 Card Stud Poker Variations:
Mexican Rollover:
In this game the first two cards are dealt face down. Each player has the option of exposing the card of their choice. A round of betting takes place. A new card is dealt to each player. The player then chooses to expose the new card, or a card already in their hand. Once everyone has made their decision a round of betting takes place.
Play continues like this until the showdown.
Chicago:
In a Chicago style showdown, the player with the highest spade in the hole wins half the pot. Thus an Ace of Spades in the hole is a sure winner.
No Peek:
A game in which it is impossible to bluff. Each player gets five cards, face down. Players are not permitted to look at their cards. The first player exposes a card, and then bets or checks. The next player then turns up cards from his hand until he shows a hand that beats the previous players. Another round of betting takes place.
If a player turns up all the cards in their hand without becoming the highest hand at the table, they are automatically out. The hand ends with the best exposed hand taking the pot.
Last Card Down:
In this version of the game there are two hole cards. Depending upon the wishes of the players the second hole card may be dealt last, or the first two cards may be dealt face down, followed by the first round of betting.
Lowball Stud:
The 5 Card Stud game where the lowest hand wins. Betting proceeds with the player having the worst exposed cards betting first.
Substitution:
This game is played with a split pot, half going to the high hand, and half to the low hand. Also, once the final round of betting takes place, players may make up to 3 “substitutions”.
Players pay for the privelege of substituting a new card for an old one in their hand. Usually the charge is one bet unit on the first card, two bet units and the second, and three ties the table minimum bet unit on the third. Hole cards are replaced with a face down card. Exposed cards are replaced with face up cards.
Pig Stud
Each player is dealt three hole cards and two up cards. Once the fourth round of betting is finished, play turns into a draw poker game. Each player takes up their cards, and recieves a chance to draw new cards. The final round of betting takes place, followed by the showdown.
English Stud
This game also combines elements of Stud and Draw poker. Players recieve two holes cards, and three cards face up. After the third round of betting, players may draw new cards.
Down cards are replaced with down cards. Exposed cards are replaced with exposed cards.
Murder:
This is actually a 2 Card Poker game. Each player is dealt one card face down, followed by a round of betting. A second card is dealt face up, followed by a round of betting. Next, players can draw as many as three cards, with fees similar to those in the Sustitution game.
The game is usually played hi/low. Straights and flushes do not count. Aces are always high. A pair of sevens automatically wins both the high and low pot.
Three Card Stud:
Players ante, and are dealt one card face down. A round of betting takes place, followed by the next card being dealt face up. Another round of betting, and a final card is dealt, face up. Then the showdown.
Hands are ranked for this game as follows:
– Straight Flush
– Three of a Kind
– Flush
– Straight
– Pairs
– High Card
Push:
Often played hi/low, this game starts with every player being dealt a hole card, and a second card face up. Starting to the left of the dealer, the player may either keep his up card, or pass it to the player on his left. He then gets a new up card from the dealer and must keep it.
The right to “pass” then proceeds around the table, until everyone has had their turn. Play proceeds like this until everyone has five cards. Players are then allowed to discard and draw one card, for the usual fee of three times the minimum bet.
Big Squeeze:
Actually, this is a game of Six card stud. The last card is dealt face down. After the sixth card is dealt and the betting round that follows ends, players may discard and draw one more card. Now the final betting round takes place, followed by the showdown.