Five-Card Stud
Five-Card Stud is the original and oldest stud poker variant, combining one private hole card with four face-up cards dealt one at a time across four betting streets. Unlike draw poker, every player can see most of their opponents' cards, turning the game into a sophisticated exercise in board reading, hand-strength estimation, and pot-odds calculation. The player showing the lowest exposed card posts a forced bring-in bet on 1st Street, while subsequent streets are led by whoever holds the best visible hand. Fixed-limit betting with a small bet on streets 1–2 and a doubled big bet on streets 3–4 keeps the action disciplined and mathematical.
Rules & Gameplay
All players post an ante. Each player receives one face-down card (the hole card) and one face-up card (the door card). 1st Street: the player showing the lowest door card must post the bring-in; other players can fold, call the bring-in, or 'complete' to the full small bet — which counts as a raise. Streets 2, 3, and 4: one additional face-up card is dealt to each active player, followed by a betting round. The player with the best visible hand acts first. Bet size doubles to the big bet from 3rd Street onward (or earlier if any player shows an open pair). After 4th Street betting (each player now holds five cards), remaining players enter the showdown: hole cards are revealed and the best standard five-card poker hand wins the pot. Standard hand rankings apply: Royal Flush down to High Card.
Basic Strategy
Board reading is the single most important skill in Five-Card Stud. Since you can see three or four of every opponent's cards, you have far more information than in Hold'em or draw games. Fold early when an opponent already shows cards that beat your best possible hand — for example, if you hold a pair of Sevens and an opponent is showing two Aces face-up, your hand is almost certainly beaten. Play aggressively with strong hidden hands: a concealed pair has bluffing potential because opponents cannot see it. Position matters indirectly through betting-order changes — acting last on a given street is a significant advantage, so pay attention to whose visible hand is strongest. With only five cards total, starting hand selection is crucial: pairs or high cards (A, K, Q) in your first two cards give a strong foundation. Avoid chasing long-shot draws when opponents are already showing made hands.
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