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.