One of the more-popular versions of poker, seven-card stud is a type of stud poker in which, as the name suggests, players are dealt a total of seven cards, using five of the cards to make the best hand possible. This guide will explain how to play seven-card stud poker including the rules, rankings of hands, gameplay and variations on the standard game.

The game can be played with a minimum of two players and a maximum of around eight or nine, as each player will need seven cards and a standard deck of cards contains 52 cards. Unless players fold early in the hand, additional rules or procedures will apply.http://www.pokerstars.com/poker/games/stud/

Similar to Texas hold'em, some of the cards are dealt face up, allowing each person at the table to see them. Unlike hold'em, the cards can only be used by the player holding them, rather than the entire table. In addition to the four face-up cards, each player is given three face-down cards.http://www.pokerstars.com/poker/games/stud/

Just as with other versions of poker, players are required to make an ante as well as take part in additional betting between each round of deals. The ante and betting amounts can range from $1-2 and up depending on your preference. Also similar to other standard poker versions is the ranking of hands, with a royal flush being the top hand going down to the hand with the highest card ranking on the bottom end.http://www.pokerstars.com/poker/games/rules/hand-rankings/

Also known as stud eight, seven-card stud can be played in a hi-lo version with two winners of each hand, the player with the highest hand and the player with the lowest hand, providing the lowest hand contains cards with values of eight or lower.

Razz is another game very similar to seven-card stud, but with the lowest hand, regardless if it contains higher-ranked cards, winning the pot. Betting and dealing processes, with four up and two down cards each, are the same.

When playing with more than seven players and each player participates until the end of the hand, there will not be enough cards in a standard deck. In this case, rather than dealing the final card to each player, the card can be flipped up and used by each player as a community card. Alternately, extra cards can be added, also altering the ranking of hands.

In order to play seven-card stud, you'll need players, cards, chips (or money) and an understanding of the rules and rankings of hands.

1. Each game must include a minimum of two players and a maximum of nine.
2. A standard 52-card deck, without the jokers, as well as some form of money (real or play), such as chips, to use as betting.
3. Cards are always dealt clockwise, with the dealer starting with the next player clockwise on each hand.
4. Stakes can vary based on preference, starting at very small amounts like $1/$2 and going up in excess of $500/$100. The ante should be small, such as 25 cents for a $2/$4 game. A limit of three raises are allowed per round of betting.
5. The person holding the lowest face-up card will open the betting. If one or more players tie for the lowest card, the suit of the card will determine the lowest hand, starting with spades as the highest, followed by hearts, diamonds and clubs. Aces can be played high or low for straights.http://www.pokersyte.com/seven_stud.htm
6. Hands are ranked in the order of standard stud or hold'em games, with the order as follows:

Once you know how to play, it's time to gather your players and shuffle up and deal!

1. Cards are shuffled and each player submits an ante.
2. The dealer gives each player three cards, one at a time, going in a clockwise direction. The first two cards are dealt face down with the third being dealt face up.
3. The player with the lowest face up card starts and is required to bet the "bring-in." Betting continues in a clockwise manner with each player calling the bet, raising or folding.
4. Each player remaining in the hand receives another card, face up, known as "fourth street."
5. A second round of betting follows, with the player with the highest visible card starting the betting. Each player can check, call, raise or fold.
6. The fifth card, "fifth street," is dealt to each player, face up as well. Betting continues, starting with the person with the highest visible card(s).
7. The sixth card, "sixth street," is dealt to each remaining player, also face up. Betting continues, again starting with the person with the highest face-up card(s).
8. A seventh and final card is dealt to each player, this time face down. A final round of betting occurs.
9. Players remaining in the hand flip their cards over, showing their hand. The player with the highest hand wins the pot.http://www.pokerstars.com/poker/games/stud/