Seven Card Stud Notable Rules
€ 1-2 Through €20-40
"Fixed Limit Games"
Most commonly called "fixed" limit games, this type of game limit structure is by far the most common betting structure you will find in the casinos. A fixed limit game is one in which each bet will remain consistent through several betting rounds and then change at some predetermined point in later rounds. All bets will remain equal to the posted table limit. For example, in a 5-10 Seven-Card Stud game, the bets will be as follows.
In the early betting rounds, a bet and any raises must be exactly €5. In later betting rounds, such as the last round, a bet and any raises must be exactly €10.
How do you bet & raise in a fixed limit Game?
- Each bet in every betting round will be in strict compliance with a structured game.
- If you choose not to bet, then you are said to "check," or pass on the option to bet to the next player.
- If a player bets, you may "call" the bet or "fold."
- If a player checks and another player makes a bet, the player who checked may then in turn raise the bet made by the other player. This is called a "check & raise."
(R) Players have 10 seconds to bet, check, raise or fold. If the player does not make a choice, the game will automatically place the player all-in if such player has an all-in remaining.
How many raises will be allowed?
(R) The general poker rule is a "cap" of three raises allowed per betting round with three or more players. However, if there is a "heads up" situation whereby only two players remain in the game, then raises are unlimited.
The opening round will be a force wager determined by the game limit. The player with the lowest "door card" is forced to wager the minimum or a player may open for the lower limit of the game. If another player wishes, they may "raise" the bet and "complete" it to the lower limit of the game in the event the player with the force wagered just the force amount. This is not a raise in the traditional sense. The player is only "bringing up" the bet to its normal minimum. If a player wishes to raise, then this will be considered the first raise of the game and not the second.
Fourth Street: The bet shall be the lower limit and all raises will be in the same increments only.
(R) However, an exception occurs on Fourth Street when there is an open pair on the table. Any player may bet or raise the lower or higher limit of the game. This is called the "Fourth Street Rule."
Fifth Street: The bet shall be the higher limit and all raises will be the same increments only.
Sixth Street: The bet shall be the higher limit and all raises will be the same increments only.
Seventh Street or the river: The bet shall be the higher limit and all raises will be the same increments only.
€ 1 to 3 and €1 to 5
"Spread Limit Games"
Spread Limit: The second most commonly found type of betting structure. This structure means there is a range of betting amounts permitted. The easiest example is a €1 to 5 game. Players are allowed to bet anywhere from €1 through €5 on any bet and in any round. Another common game is the €1 to 3 game. In casinos, you find the limits written and used as you see here.
(R) Players at these limits may wager any amount on any round within the limit posted.
(R) Raises in €1 to 3 and €1 to 5 must be equal to or greater than the previous bet. If in the event there is a re-raise, then the re-raise amount will be equal to or greater than the raise amount, but not to exceed the game limit.
For example, if the player in seat #5 bets €2, the player in seat 6 can only raise €2, €3, €4 or €5. Most commonly you will see a player bet €2, then another player will say "make it €7" hence a €5 raise. But, if he wants, he can "make" or raise the bet to €4 (€2 + €2 raise), €5, €6, or €7. A player cannot just raise a €1 because that would violate the rule above.
(R) While playing fixed limit Seven Card Stud on 4th street (fourth card dealt) any player may bet or raise the lower or higher limit of the game when there is an open pair on the table. This is called the "Fourth Street Rule." This does NOT apply in a spread limit game.