5 Card Stud Poker is usually played by maximum 8 players per table and a 52 card deck. In the online poker world there are two variants of 5 card stud poker played, one using blinds and one using antes. On both variant are only two betting rounds.


Blinds Method

Betting round 1

A round little chip - called the Dealer Button - is used to show which player is the dealer. The next player left to the dealer is the small blind and the next player left to the small blind is the big blind.
As in other poker variants like Texas Hold'em Poker the small blind and the big blind are forced to make fixed bets before the cards where dealt. After that every player is dealt 5 cards faced down which are known as hole cards. Now the first betting round begins, starting with the player left to the dealer.

Betting round 2 - The Draw

All remaining players are allowed to trade their cards for new one. The number of cards allowed to trade differs from site to site. Some allow 1 - 3 cards and other allow 1 - 5 cards to be swapped.
When every player traded the cards he wanted to be replaced the final betting round begins. Once more starting with the player left to the dealer button. Every remaining player after the last betting round has to showdown their cards. The player with the best hand takes the pot.


Antes Method

Betting round 1

In order to play, every player has to 'ante up' first. This is a small forced bet every player must bet before any cards are dealt. After that every player is dealt 5 cards faced down. Now the first betting round begins, starting with the player left to the dealer.


Betting round 2 - The Draw

All remaining players are allowed to trade their cards for new one. The number of cards allowed to trade differs from site to site. Some allow 1 - 3 cards and other allow 1 - 5 cards to be swapped.
When every player traded the cards he wanted to be replaced the final betting round begins. Once more starting with the player left to the dealer button. Every remaining player after the last betting round has to showdown their cards. The player with the best hand takes the pot.

Good luck!