Seven-card stud, also known as Seven-Toed Pete or Down-The-River,[1] is a variant of stud poker. Before the 2000s surge of ♣ popularity of Texas hold 'em,[2] seven-card stud was one of the most widely played poker variants in home games across ♣ the United States[3] and in casinos in the eastern part of the country. Although seven-card stud is not as common ♣ in casinos today, it is still played online. The game is commonly played with two to eight players; however, eight ♣ may require special rules for the last cards dealt if no players fold. With experienced players who fold often, playing ♣ with nine players is possible.

In casino play, it's common to use a small ante and bring-in. In home games, using ♣ an ante only is typical.

Seven-card stud is the "S" game in HORSE and similar mixed game formats.

Rules [ edit ]

The ♣ game begins with each player being dealt two cards face down and one card face up. The player with the ♣ lowest-ranking upcard pays the bring-in, and betting proceeds after that in normal clockwise order. The bring-in is considered an open, ♣ so the next player in turn may not check. If two players have equally ranked low cards, suit may be ♣ used to break the tie and assign the bring-in (see high card by suit). If there is no bring-in, then ♣ the first betting round begins with the player showing the highest-ranking upcard, who may check. In this case, suit is ♣ not used to break ties. If two players have the same high upcard, the one first in clockwise rotation from ♣ the dealer acts first.