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Archive for December, 2010

Stud is the classic version of the classic game of poker. There are several varieties, including 7 card stud and 5 card stud – the two most commonly played versions. In some versions the player must try to make the best high hand while others, such as Razz and 2-7 low-ball, call for the lowest hand.

In the past decade or so, Texas Hold ‘Em has become the game of choice. Poker’s growth in popularity can be attributed to Hold ‘Em and to the massive amount of television coverage given to the game. Professionals and high rollers still play 7 card stud and 5 card stud, but the number of games going at any one time is tiny compared to the opportunities to play slot machine.

There are major differences between Hold ‘Em and stud. In stud poker, for example, the player “brings in” or opens the action based on whether he has high cards showing or low cards showing. This is determined before the start of play. In Hold ‘Em, table position is determined by the button.

Other key differences include exposed cards and hole cards in the same hand. For instance, a player receives two cards face down (hole cards) and one card face up in the first round of 7 card stud. If the player stays in the hand the next three cards are dealt face up, one per round. The final card is dealt face down so the players remaining have three hole cards and four “up” cards. There are no community cards or board cards in stud.

In 5 card stud, each player receives a hole card and an up card in the first round. Two more cards are dealt face up and the last card is dealt face down, unless the dealer has called “four up,” a variation on stud. Again, there are no board cards or community cards. Online poker has exploded with the popularity of Texas Hold ‘Em but in recent months some of the top online rooms have put more emphasis on 7 card stud and 5 card stud.