How to Play
5 Card Stud becomes quite interesting because the number of visible cards makes it easier for Players to judge the strength of their hands.  The purpose of the game is to finish with the best poker hand and win the pot.  Players place an ante on the table. The ante is set by the card room, and is not applicable in games where increments are $0.50/$1.00.  Players are dealt two cards - one pocket card and one visible card.  The player with the lowest value card “brings-in” the betting.  Round of betting.  Second round deal - all Players are dealt their 2nd visible card.  Round of betting.  Third round deal - all Players are dealt their 3rd visible card.  Round of betting.  Fourth round deal - all players are dealt their 4th visible card. (Each Player should now have 1 pocket card and 4 visible cards).  Final round of betting.  All remaining players display their hand. The highest hand wins the pot.

5 Card Stud Poker Rules
As per normal poker rules - playing and betting proceeds in a clockwise direction.  All Players must first ante before they receive their initial cards, except the $0.50/$1 game which has no ante.  There are four betting rounds in a complete game of 5 Card Stud, not including the ante.  On the first round of betting, the player with the lowest value door card “brings-in” and starts the betting - equal to at least half the minimum bet for the game. In proceeding rounds, the player with the highest hand initiates the betting. If hands tie, the Player to the left of the dealer acts first.  Betting increments in the game determine the bets. In a game of $2 and $4 betting increments, the first two rounds of betting and raising are set at the lower level of $2, the other three rounds of betting and raising are set at the higher level of $4.  The maximum allowable number of bets per Player during any betting round is four. This includes a (1) bet, (2) raise, (3) re-raise, and (4) cap. The term cap is used to describe the 3rd raise in a round since betting is then capped and can’t be raised further. Once capped, players will have only the option of calling or folding.  In betting rounds where players have folded, the first active player left of the dealer is first to act.

5 Card Stud Poker Strategy
* Be aware of your opponents’ visible cards as you can see if you are losing a hand
* If the cards you need to help improve your hand are visible in your opponents hands, consider them dead to you
* There are 13 cards in a suit. You need five of them to make a flush, if the cards you need happen to be in your opponents’ hand you have no chance of them being dealt to you, however, if you can’t see them, it means that it is still possible to receive those cards
* It is advisable to fold if another player’s exposed cards are strong
* If you are trying to compete a Straight, check to see if another Player displays the cards you need. You can then adjust your strategy accordingly
* Fold when necessary.  5 Card Stud poker is a game of patience; so do not bet all you money on losing hands

Casino Cash Journey features more information on 5 Card Stud Poker along with several other types of poker.