For several years, 7 Card Stud was a very popular poker game. It was one of the oldest variants of poker and was played extensively, until around the 1970s with the introduction of Texas Hold'em and Omaha High. Then 7 Card Stud poker gave way to other game variants which featured faster change of hands and no-limit, such as Texas Hold'em and Omaha High.

7 Card Stud is still a popular poker game though, and is offered with fair-size card rooms in several major casinos, played in major tournaments and in the World Series of Poker. 7 card stud poker games are intricate and challenging; with live cards that you need to be really attentive on.

It's easy to play 7 Card Stud poker. The 7 Card Stud poker rules are all easy to follow. The real challenge of the game is on the live cards, the draws, and what cards have been shown.

Here's how a game of 7 card stud poker starts:

1. The game starts with the players putting in an ante.

2. All players are dealt two face-down cards, also known as hole cards or pocket cards, and one face-up card. In this game, you may want to limit your players to 7 since seven cards to eight players plus four burn cards makes 60 cards, and a deck only consists of 52 cards.

3. A betting round commences with the player who has the lowest ranking face-up card, putting in a small bet known as a bring in. Since the bet is considered an open, the next player may not check.

If more than one player has equal low ranked cards, the card's suit may be used to break the tie.

4. The betting proceeds around the table in clockwise order. Each player can call, raise, or fold.

5. After the betting round is completed, another face-up card is dealt to each player, known as the fourth street or the turn.

6. Another round of betting commences with the player who has the highest ranking face-up cards. Players can check or bet.

7. After the betting round is completed, another face-up card is dealt to each player, known as the fifth street or the river.

8. Another round of betting commences with the player who has the highest ranking face-up cards. Players can check or bet.

9. After the betting round is completed, another face-up card is dealt to each player, known as the sixth street.

10. Another round of betting commences with the player who has the highest ranking face-up cards. Players can check or bet.

11. After the betting round is completed, the 7th card is dealt face-down to the remaining players.

12. A final betting round begins. After the betting round, a showdown begins where players will compare their hands to determine the winning hand.

7 Card Stud poker is a challenging game, but it's a good game to practice poker because of the skills it involves. Practice your 7 Card Stud poker by playing poker online.