Key Concept: Seven Card Stud is a classic poker variant with no community cards. Each player gets their own 7 cards to make the best 5-card hand.
Seven Card Stud was the most popular poker variant before Texas Hold'em took over. It's a fundamental game that tests memory, observation, and hand reading skills.
Key Differences from Hold'em:
- No Community Cards: Each player gets their own 7 cards
- Mixed Visibility: Some cards are face-down (hole cards), others face-up
- 5 Betting Rounds: More action than Hold'em's 4 rounds
- Memory Game: Must remember folded cards to calculate odds
- Antes: Everyone pays a small ante before each hand
Important: Stud is often played with a limit betting structure, unlike the no-limit Hold'em most players are familiar with.