ONE SECRET. FOUR CLUES.
Five Card Stud.
A compact classic with almost everything in view.
THE DEFINING TWIST
One hidden card and four exposed cards; no community board.
Five-card stud
Know the twist.
Enjoy the table.
Illustrative hand · explore the result in Read the Table
YOUR GUIDE TO THIS VERSION
Know your table.
The rules that matter.
- Lowest-upcard bring-in convention stated.
- Four betting rounds, no community cards.
From first card to final reveal.
- Prepare. Use 52 cards; agree antes and fixed limits.
This guide uses the lowest-upcard bring-in option.
- Deal two. Ante; deal one downcard and one upcard each.
Only the first card stays hidden.
- First betting. Lowest upcard posts bring-in; continue clockwise.
Agree clubs–diamonds–hearts–spades for tied bring-ins.
- Third card. Burn; deal one upcard each. Bet.
Highest exposed hand now opens each round.
- Fourth card. Burn; deal one upcard each. Bet.
Incomplete straights and flushes do not determine first action.
- Fifth card. Burn; deal one final upcard each. Bet.
Each survivor now has five cards.
- Showdown. Reveal the hidden card; highest five-card hand wins.
Equal values split; suits never decide the winner.
- Reset. Collect and shuffle; move the dealer.
There is no drawing or exchanging.
Where these rules come from.
Established variation; this guide follows the linked rules and stated table conventions. Explanatory presentation and examples by Deal Different.
Pagat: Five Card Stud rules ↗Curated by Maanas Chopra · reviewed October 2026 · session times are estimates