In 5 Card Stud each player antes, and then a single card is dealt, face-down. This is the hole card. Then a second card is dealt, face Up. Now a round of betting begins. Another card is dealt, followed by a round of betting. This continues until each player has a five card hand. The showdown occurs and the best hand wins.

Variations on the game include:

Mexican Rollover

    In this game the first two cards are dealt face down. Each player has the option of exposing the card of their choice. A round of betting takes place. A new card is dealt to each player. The player then chooses to expose the new card, or a card already in their hand. Once everyone has made their decision a round of betting takes place.
    Play continues like this until the showdown.

Chicago

    In a Chicago style showdown, the player with the highest spade in the hole wins half the pot. Thus an Ace of Spades in the hole is a sure winner.

No Peek

    A game in which it is impossible to bluff. Each player gets five cards, face down. Players are not permitted to look at their cards. The first player exposes a card, and then bets or checks. The next player then turns up cards from his hand until he shows a hand that beats the previous players. Another round of betting takes place.

    If a player turns up all the cards in their hand without becoming the highest hand at the table, they are automatically out. The hand ends with the best exposed hand taking the pot.

Last Card Down

    In this version of the game there are two hole cards. Depending upon the wishes of the players the second hole card may be dealt last, or the first two cards may be dealt face down, followed by the first round of betting.

Lowball Stud

    The 5 Card Stud game where the lowest hand wins. Betting proceeds with the player having the worst exposed cards betting first.

Substitution

    This game is played with a split pot, half going to the high hand, and half to the low hand. Also, once the final round of betting takes place, players may make up to 3 "substitutions".

    Players pay for the privelege of substituting a new card for an old one in their hand. Usually the charge is one bet unit on the first card, two bet units and the second, and three ties the table minimum bet unit on the third. Hole cards are replaced with a face down card. Exposed cards are replaced with face up cards.