Five Card Stud

5-Card Stud — Basic Rules

1. Ante

Every player puts a small ante into the pot before cards are dealt.

For example:

• Ante: $1

• 5 players → pot starts at $5

2. First cards

Each player receives 2 cards:

• 1 card face down — only you can see it.

• 1 card face up — everyone can see it.

The player with the lowest face-up card typically starts the betting.

Some versions use the highest card instead, so agree on this before playing.

3. First betting round

Players can:

• Fold — leave the hand.

• Call — match the current bet.

• Raise — increase the bet.

4. Third card

Each remaining player receives one face-up card.

You now have:

1 face-down + 2 face-up = 3 cards

Another betting round takes place.

5. Fourth card

Each remaining player receives another face-up card.

You now have:

1 face-down + 3 face-up = 4 cards

Another betting round takes place.

6. Fifth card

Each remaining player receives their final face-up card.

You now have:

1 face-down + 4 face-up = 5 cards

One final betting round occurs.

7. Showdown

Players still in the hand reveal their face-down card.

The player with the best 5-card poker hand wins the pot.

Hand rankings

From highest to lowest:

1. Royal Flush

2. Straight Flush

3. Four of a Kind

4. Full House

5. Flush

6. Straight

7. Three of a Kind

8. Two Pair

9. One Pair

10. High Card