Popular Online Stud Poker Variations
Stud poker comes in many forms, and all the original ones are played as peer-to-peer poker, meaning where you play against other players. Casino stud poker played against a dealer also has many versions. These all take the basic rules from the original game versions, but have an added twist, as they are simpler games. Let’s have a look at some of the core stud poker games that other versions are built on.
FIVE-CARD STUD
Five-Card Stud is one of the most traditional forms of stud poker. Each player is dealt one card face down and four cards face up over several rounds of betting, with the aim to create the best five-card hand. Compared to other stud variants, Five-Card Stud is straightforward, with fewer cards and simpler strategies.
Unlike Seven-Card Stud, it offers less opportunity for strategic play due to fewer betting rounds and limited information on opponents’ hands. Its simplicity can also lead to less variance in gameplay. This version is a great starting point for new players.
SEVEN-CARD STUD
Seven-Card Stud is a more complex and strategic variant than Five-Card Stud. Players are dealt two cards face down and one card face up, followed by three more face-up cards and one final face-down card. This version allows for more betting rounds, increasing the potential for bluffing and strategic decisions.
The additional cards offer more opportunities to build strong hands, making it a favourite among experienced players. Seven-Card Stud is dynamic, with increased decision-making needed, which can make it challenging for beginners.
RAZZ
Razz is a version of Seven-Card Stud, where the goal is to create the lowest possible five-card hand. Straights and flushes do not count against you, and aces are considered low. This version contrasts with most other poker games, where the objective is to form the highest hand.
Razz, therefore, requires a different strategy, focusing on avoiding high cards. Players accustomed to traditional stud poker variants might find Razz tricky due to its hand values, but it can still be an interesting game to try out.
CARIBBEAN STUD POKER
Caribbean Stud Poker is a version of the game that’s only available as a casino poker game, meaning it’s played against the dealer. Each player receives five cards, and the dealer shows one card. Players must decide to fold or raise based on the strength of their hand.
There are no community cards, and no further cards are dealt. Caribbean Stud Poker has more in common with traditional casino table games than poker, with a focus on beating the house. The poker aspect is simply the fact that poker hand rankings are used to determine the result.
MISSISSIPPI STUD POKER
Mississippi Stud Poker is another casino variation where players compete against a paytable rather than each other or a dealer. Each player is dealt two cards, and three community cards are revealed one by one, with betting rounds in between. The goal is to make the best five-card hand possible.
Mississippi Stud combines elements of traditional stud poker with simplified rules and faster gameplay. Unlike other stud variants, there is no bluffing or peer-to-peer competition, making it less strategic.