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Five Card Stud

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Five Card Stud

Explanation of Game Play

5-Card Stud is yet another exciting variation of poker. The game's rules are pretty easy to master. Below is a detailed explanation of how 5-Card Stud is played.

First, all participating players must ante. Then the dealer deals each player one concealed card (this is the pocket) face down and one card face up. After this, the first betting round takes place, starting with the bring-in. The player with the poorest showing door card (an exposed card) is required to post "the bring-in," a forced initial bet of half the smaller stake amount. The forced bet player can opt to increase the bring-in to the full small stake amount.

After first round action is over, each player receives another face up card, titled "Third Street." Now, a player with the highest showing hand is the one to open the betting round. Should a pair come up in any hand on Third Street, the pair player has the option of doubling his wager amount. Otherwise, Third Street bets and raises are restricted to the small stake.

The dealer deals another face up card to each player, and the high hand player opens the betting round. For these last two rounds, the wager amount is now according to the higher stake. The fourth and final face up card is dealt to each player. All players now hold five cards. Then, the final betting round begins, and exactly as in the previous round, the highest showing hand launches the betting action. The River bets are still restricted to the upper stake.

And, now it's showdown time. The last player to bet or raise during the final betting round will reveal their hand first. The remaining players' hands will be revealed moving clockwise. The best 5-card hand player nabs the coveted pot.