The Five Card Stud is similar to its more popular sister game – Seven Card Stud but there is one exception: as the name implies, in 5 card stud each player is dealt 5, not 7 cards – 4 cards face up and one card face down. Otherwise, the game is just the same.

How the game is to be played

Before the cards are dealt, each player needs to place a blind bet called ante. Depending on the limit, the ante may be 10 to 50 % of the minimum bet. After placing the ante, each player is dealt two cards: one face up and one face down. The player with the lowest face up card is to make the first bet which is usually equal to the half of the minimum bet. In case several players have same lowest ranking card, the lowest card is to be determined by suit. Then the betting round begins.

Third Street

On the third street each player, who stays in the game is dealt a third card face up. The betting round is to be begun by the player who has the highest combination of the two faced up cards.

Fourth Street

Players who still stay in the game are dealt the fourth card face up. The betting round is the same as on the previous street.

Fifth Street

Players who still stay in the game are dealt the fifth card face up (the last card to be dealt). The betting round is the same as on previous streets.

Showdown

In case the bets on the fifth street are called, players are to open their only dark card. The player with the highest five card combination is to take the pot. In case some players have the same combinations, the pot is to be split.