Stud poker
A family of poker variants with face-up and face-down cards.
Stud poker is a family of poker variants in which each player receives a mix of face-down and face-up cards dealt over multiple betting rounds. It is typically a non-positional game, with the first bettor determined by the best visible hand. Stud games have been played since the American Revolutionary War and became especially popular during the American Civil War, forming the basis for many modern poker variations.
- First known variant
- Four-card stud, popular as of the American Revolutionary War
- Five-card stud first appeared
- During the American Civil War
- Common modern forms
- Five-card stud and seven-card stud
- Key feature
- Non-positional; betting order changes each round
- Hole cards
- Face-down cards dealt to each player
- Betting round naming
- Based on number of cards held (e.g., third street, fifth street)
Lore & Background
Stud poker variants using four cards were popular as of the American Revolutionary War. Five-card stud first appeared during the American Civil War, when the game was much played among soldiers on both sides, and became very popular. Later, seven-card stud became more common, both in casinos and in home games. These two games form the basis of most modern stud poker variations.
Reader's Guide
Stud poker's significance lies in its historical role as a foundational poker form, with five-card stud emerging during the American Civil War and seven-card stud later dominating casino and home play. The game's structure—alternating face-down and face-up cards—introduced the concept of hole cards, giving rise to the expression 'ace in the hole.' Betting rounds are named after the number of cards each player holds (third street, fifth street, river). Variants include six-card stud, razz (low hand wins), high-low stud (often with an eight-or-better qualifier), Mexican stud (with stripped decks and wild cards), Caribbean stud (played against the dealer), and many home-game variations like Baseball and Chicago. The number of betting rounds influences the optimal betting structure: games with four or fewer rounds suit no-limit and pot-limit play, while those with more rounds are better for fixed or spread limits. Stud poker remains a staple in both live and online poker rooms, and its variations continue to be developed.
Did You Know?
- The expression 'ace in the hole' for a hidden advantage originates from stud poker's hole cards.
- Five-card stud first appeared during the American Civil War and was played by soldiers on both sides.
- In stud poker, the player whose face-up cards make the best hand typically bets first on each round.
- The final betting round in stud poker is commonly called the 'river' or the 'end.'
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