Seven Card Stud games are divided into five rounds of betting which moves clockwise around the table. The game works as follows:
1. Opening the betting
The player with the lowest-ranking up card starts the game with a token bet called the bring-in or opening. If two or more players have the same lowest card, the bring-in is determined by suit in alphabetical order: clubs, diamonds, hearts, and spades.
2. Third card
Once the bring-in bet has been made, each player, starting with the player to the left of the bring-in can fold, call, or raise to the betting limit.
3. Fourth card
The players are each dealt another card face up. At this point, the player with the two highest face up cards starts the betting. In this round of betting only, if a player gets an open pair, he/she can make a double bet.
4. Fifth card
The players are each dealt another card face up. The player with the highest combination of face up cards starts the betting.
5. Sixth card
The players are each dealt another face up card. One again, the player with the highest combination of face up cards starts the betting.
6. Seventh card or the River
The players are each dealt their seventh and final card face down. The same player who started the last round betting starts the betting here.
7. Results
The players reveal their cards and the player with the best hand wins.