What Is Five-Card Stud?
Five-Card Stud is the original stud poker game, played during the American Civil War and popular for over a century. Each player receives one card face-down and four cards face-up, dealt one at a time with a betting round between each card. Since you can see most of your opponent’s hand — four of their five cards are visible — the game is almost entirely about reading people, calculating odds from visible information, and knowing when to bluff.
What You Need
- One standard deck of 52 playing cards
- Two to eight players
- Poker chips
Setting Up the Game
- Each player antes — places a small forced bet in the center pot.
- The dealer deals one card face-DOWN to each player (the hole card), then one card face-UP to each player.
How to Play — Street by Street
Second Street — First Betting Round
Each player has one private card and one visible card. The player showing the lowest face-up card must post the bring-in. Going clockwise, others may fold, call, or raise.
Third Street
The dealer deals one more card FACE-UP to each remaining player — two visible cards each. The player with the highest-ranking visible hand bets first — they may check or bet. Others call, raise, or fold.
Fourth Street
One more card FACE-UP — three visible cards each. The player with the best visible hand bets first. Bets typically double here.
Fifth Street — Final Round
The last card is dealt FACE-UP to each player — four visible cards each. Final betting round, highest visible hand first.
The Showdown
All remaining players reveal their one face-down hole card. Each player’s best hand is their five cards — one hidden card plus four visible cards. Best five-card hand wins the pot.
Reading Visible Hands
Because four of five cards are visible, you can often tell a great deal about what opponents hold:
- If an opponent shows K-K-9-4 face-up, they likely have trips (three Kings) or two pair if their hole card is a King or 9.
- If someone shows 7-8-9-10 face-up, their hole card completes a straight if it’s a 6 or Jack.
- Watch for pairs showing on the board — a pair of Aces showing is already a strong hand without the hole card.
Winning
Best five-card hand at showdown wins. Or be the last player not to fold.
Tips for New Players
- Fold early when clearly beaten — if your opponent shows two visible Kings and you have no pair, saving chips for a better hand is smarter than chasing.
- Your hole card is your only secret — use it. If your visible cards are weak but your hole card makes a hidden pair or strong combination, that surprise can win a big pot.
- Pay attention to board cards — if you are chasing a flush and two of your suit are showing in opponents’ hands, your chances drop sharply.