Updated In March, 2025 - The poker game 5 Card Stud is not very popular in the poker world, especially in online poker rooms, as the game simply doesn't provide enough suspense to keep players interested. As there is only one down (hole) card there is little in doubt as to what cards the other players have and low hands traditionally win the pot. While 5 Card Stud is still available at some poker rooms, the far more popular 7 Card Stud is much more likely to be found. Only a couple of the poker rooms for U.S. players have 5 card stud poker in their game lineup. I would expect this to change in the near future as online poker rooms add new and old school card games to their software. Here are some links to our other poker guides:
1. All players ante up for the new hand (the ante amount varies depending on table limits).
2. All of the players receive their initial two cards. One card is dealt face down (the 'hole' card) while the other card is dealt face up.
3. A round of betting takes place. The betting is started off by the player showing the highest valued card.
4. Each player receives their third card, face up.
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5. There is another round of betting.
6. Each player receives their fourth card, face up.
7. Yet another betting round, this time though the betting minimums are doubled.
8. Each player is dealt their fifth (final) card, face up.
9. The final betting round takes place.
After the betting, the hands are called and the player holding the best hand wins.
Betting Note: 5-Card Stud betting is different from Texas Hold'em and Omaha Poker betting as the player with the highest ranking face up card bets first for the round irregardless of where they sit in relation to the dealer. The betting then continues clockwise around the table.