Stud Poker Game Variations

Stud poker games are a set of poker variants mainly characterized by having a combination of face-down and face-up cards which are dealt in numerous rounds of betting. Stud poker, as opposed to Draw poker games, is non-positional, which means that a player who places a bet first on every round may change from one round to another. But typically, the one who has the best hand on the face-up cards can bet first.

Players are given hole cards or face-down cards. The number of betting in every game determines how bets are made. For instance, games with four or less betting rounds are suited with no limit or pot limit play, while those with more betting rounds are more appropriate for spread limit of fixed limit plays. It is a tradition in Stud poker to name a betting round according to the number of cards a player holds for that round. When they are holding three cards, the bet can be called Third card or Third street; but the final round is called River or End.

Razz

Razz is a Stud poker variation that has the objective to produce the lowest possible hand from the seven cards dealt. The best possible hand in this variant is 5-4-3-2-A. Ace is played low. It is identical with seven-card stud, except that the lowest hand wins. It is played with 8 players maximum, and a fixed amount of bet per round. Player's antes are dealt with two hole cards and one door card. The one with the highest door card has to place a mandatory first bet, which is a portion of the regular bet.

Mississippi Stud

Mississippi Stud is a seven-card stud for no limit or pot limit. Betting structure is similar to that of No Limit Texas Hold'em. To start off, player's antes are dealt with two hole cards. The dealer then places three community cards faced down. The player can see the community card if he decides to bet. After the final round of betting, all wagers are resolved. The player wins if he ends up with a pair of Jacks or better.

Mexican Stud

In Mexican Stud, players are dealt with two face-down cards after the first round. They are required to open one of these cards and the first round of betting begins. They can raise or fold. This process continues until each of them holds face-up cards and one face-down card.

Caribbean Stud

Caribbean Stud is another challenging variation of Stud poker when players compete against the dealer. Players make an ante equivalent to the table minimum. It is placed in front of the player and is marked as ante. Aside from this, he can bet for a bonus pot. Players are dealt with five cards, four face-down and one face-up. They can fold or forfeit the ante or call by placing another bet, which is twice the amount of the ante. After betting, the dealer's hand is shown. The dealer must have an Ace-King hand or better. If not, players are paid equal money for their ante.