Most Texas Hold 'Em Poker games start with the two players to the left of the dealer (the button) putting a predetermined amount of money into the pot before any cards are dealt, ensuring that there's something to play for on every hand. This is called 'posting the blinds.' Most often, the 'first blind'–the player to the left of the dealer–puts up half the minimum bet, and the 'second. 7-Card Stud Poker alias Down the River An exciting, tough and very popular variation of Poker is how the Seven-Card Stud could be briefly characterized. The origin of the game was inspired by the classic Five-Card Stud and perhaps Seven-Card Stud was invented to make the game more complex and interesting.

An exciting, tough and very popular variation of Poker is how the Seven-Card Stud could be briefly characterized. The origin of the game was inspired by the classic Five-Card Stud and perhaps Seven-Card Stud was invented to make the game more complex and interesting.

If you are a beginner I recommend starting with general rules of Poker and classic Poker Draw (where cards can be traded), the pages that contain useful information on basic fundamentals of Poker, card combinations, strategic principles and evaluation of winning chances.

The Principles of 7-Card Stud Poker

First, each player is dealt two cards face down and one card face up, followed up by initial round of betting. Then the players who continue in the game, i.e. those who have not folded, are dealt three cards face up one by one in successive steps and the last seventh card face down.

It is possible to open bets after each new card (including the last card). So there are five intervals in total for betting in the Seven-Card Stud – see the illustration below.

The presence of seven cards makes the game far more complex. The hand is, of course, combined from five cards only (logically it is the highest possible poker combination of the cards).

More cards increase the chance to reach one of the stronger combinations or Poker hands – especially Straight, Flush or Full House. On the other hand, and assuming that players do not bluff, a great number of shown cards and the bets of the opponents give a better understanding of their hands.

7-Card Stud Strategy

Aces and Kings are the average winning combination (hand). You can win the pot even with a weaker hand, but you have to know what combination you aim for right from the beginning. One of the most important factors remains how many cards you will take/buy, as it is necessary to at least call the bets of your opponents in order to stay in the game.

There are some unwritten rules in the 7-Card Stud Poker. However they should not be taken dogmatically. It always depends on particular situation, intuition and courage of the players:

• Three of a Kind and Pairs of Aces or Kings should be played until the end ('Down the river!',
• It is also worth going for incomplete Straights or Flushes,
• A pair of Queens or lower, if not improved by the fourth card, should be folded,
• If you have Three of a Kind and you suspect some of your opponents having higher Three of a Kind, it si better off to fold,
• If you have a secret pair, even though a weak one, it is more advantageous than a stronger pair that everyone can see.

Counting chances to improve your hand is quite feasable. The principle of counting cards is explained on the page devoted to Five-Card Stud. In the table below you can find probabilities against getting a specific combination.

Poker Rules River Flop

For instance: the probability of being dealt three Aces as the first three cards is the following: We have to receive three out of four Aces (present in the 52-card deck) and compare it to the overall number of threesome combinations that can be created by 52 cards.

The probability (beware of some common myths and mistakes when assessing probability) and true odds are the following: P = C(4,3) / C(52,3) = 4 / 22100 = 0.000180995 (where C is the number of combinations), Odds = 1:5,524. The Odds (chance) against us is the reciprocal value, i.e. 5524:1.

After each new card your possibilities (as well as your opponents') change as regards card combinations and bluffing. It is a constant decision making, whether to check, raise or fold. That is why the game is extremely demanding.

Clear focus should be put on watching the game and the behavior of your opponents. It is said that good players can make their judgement after the fifth card. If they feel success in the air, they will go down the river.

If you like 7-Card Stud you may fall in love with Texas Hold'em, currently the most popular Poker game in the world. If you look for an even more challenging fight then there are Omaha and Omaha Hi Lo.

If you’re looking for Poker, then you’ve come to the right place. We have a busy and exciting Poker Room, where you can play Texas Hold’em. Find Four Card Poker, Ultimate Texas Hold’em, Texas Hold’em Bonus and Fortune Pai Gow with other table games on the main gaming floor.

We’re pleased to announce that Racebook and the Poker Room have moved into the Phoenix Room located in the main casino.

Poker Hours of Operation:
7 days a week
11am – 3am

Play No Limit Texas Hold’em with buy ins starting as low as $100, with all Hold’em games in the poker room qualifying for the Super Bad Beat Jackpot. Staffed by our friendly, and professional team, our Poker Room offers an excellent selection of bar and food service delivered directly to your seat! Not to mention some of the best action in town!

Down The River Poker Rules

The River Rock Poker room is excited to welcome our new partner, The Racebook! Now located in the Poker Room, our 50+ seat Racebook will give all of our guests a chance to enjoy the excitement of off track betting and poker all in the same room!

River Poker Rules Game

Questions? Please contact the Poker Room Hotline at 604-247-8983.