Two to eight people may play, There is no ante in some Seven-Card Stud games, but the players agree in advance on the minimum that must be bet.

Seven card stud begins with the dealer dealing out two cards, clockwise, one at a time, face down to each player. He then deals the door card face-up to each player. This is called third street because each player has three cards. The player with the highest door card will begin the betting. If there is a tie, the player closest to the dealers left will begin the betting. The player starting the bet must bet an amount at least equal to the minimum bet or fold his hand. Once the player bets, the remaining players must either call, raise or fold.

After the first round of betting is done, the dealer deals one card face up to each player (this is called fourth street). Once again and in the following hands the first player to begin the round of betting is the player with the best hand showing. During, fifth and sixth street, the dealer continues to deal one card face up to each player with a round of betting in between. During Seventh street, the dealer deals one final card to each player face down.

If at any time during the betting rounds, there is only one player left (everyone folds), that player is the winner. If there is two or more players left, then the players must discard two of their seven cards face down and reveal their best five card poker hand. The player with the best hand wins.