How to Play 5 Card Stud

5 card stud poker is a game that confuses many people. When ever the topic of 5 card stud comes up most people think 7 card stud or they don't know the difference between 5 card stud and draw poker. 5 card stud is a game unto itself even though it is a game that is seldom played anymore.

Betting Limits, Buy-In, Bankroll, The Ante, and the Deal are all basically the same as 7-Stud and I refer you there for these details. Keep in mind that because 5 card Stud is seldom played in the casinos it is basically only played at home games.

The Open
The round opens with the dealer giving each player two cards. Usually the first card dealt is a pocket (hidden) card and the second is open (face up).

Now it's time for the first bets. In 5 card stud poker the player with the lowest card showing usually goes first, but sometime the player with the highest card will open, this depends on the house rules. The game progresses the same either way. The betting goes around the table and it's on to Third Street.

Third Street
The third card is dealt to each player as an open card. This card usually has a low bet limit.

Fourth Street
Another open card is dealt to each player, typically played with a high bet limit.

Fifth Street
The 5th street is the last card dealt, usually also an open card.

I've also seen 5 stud poker games where Fifth Street was dealt as a pocket card but this is rare.