Seven-Card Stud is one of the oldest and most respected poker formats, popular long before Texas Hold’em dominated the scene. Unlike community card games, each player in Stud is dealt a mix of face-up and face-down cards across multiple betting rounds, ultimately receiving seven cards from which the best five-card hand is made.

The face-up cards mean players must pay close attention to what has already been dealt, making memory and observation critical skills.

Because there are no shared community cards, each player’s hand develops uniquely, which reduces reliance on luck and increases the importance of disciplined strategy. Stud has slower gameplay compared to Hold’em, often appealing to more methodical players who prefer calculated decisions and tracking opponents’ tendencies.

Though less common in modern casinos and online platforms, Seven-Card Stud remains a cornerstone of poker history and a rewarding option for players seeking a more traditional experience.