5 Card Stud Poker Rules

5 Card Stud is an older poker variation that plays similar to 7 Card Stud, only with 5 cards dealt to each player instead of 7. Also unlike 7 Card Stud, the final card is not dealt face down, and there is only 1 single card initially dealt in the hole to each player.

It's a very simple game to play - arguably a little too simple. Because a single down card doesn't leave much to the imagination, and 5 cards don't allow for too many drawing hands, betting tends to be slow-going, making 7 Card Stud a much more popular alternative.

It's really hard to find a game online these days...

While it's still a classic to some, most people agree that 5-Card Stud is a dying breed, 'replaced' by it's younger counterpart, Seven Card Stud. Few poker rooms even offer the game, and those that do have a lot of empty tables.

How a Game Is Played Out:

All the players ante up for the hand about to be dealt. The amount of the ante varies depending on the table limits where you're playing.
Everyone is dealt one card, face down (the 'hole' card) and one card face up, totaling 2 cards for the initial deal to each player.
Bets are placed. The player with the highest valued card showing opens the betting round.
Each player receives another card, face up.
Another round of betting.
Each player receives another card, face up.
More betting, with the betting minimums/maximums usually doubled now.
Each player receives another card, face up.
Final bets are placed.

Betting Note: 5-card stud is different than Texas Hold'Em and Omaha Poker in that the player with the highest ranking hand face up bets first for that round regardless of their position to the dealer. The bet then goes clockwise around the table.

After betting, the hands are called and the person with the highest 5 card hand wins the pot.

Finding a game....

If you want to play 5 Card Stud online, your options are truly limited. Other than rooms operating on Prima Poker software there are only a couple of alternatives, and they have so few players on the stud tables, it's not worth the effort trying to find a game.

Shown to the left is Royal Vegas Poker, our preferred pick for Prima clients due to their bonus structure and exclusive tournaments offered. Other online rooms offering 5 Card Stud include: