A game of 7 card stud is played as follows:

1. Every player antes up at the start of the game before any cards are dealt (the ante is usually determined by the table with the normal ante rate being 10% of the betting limits, i.e. a $5/$10 game would have a 50 cent antes).
2. Everyone is dealt three cards, two cards face down and one card face up. Common names for the first face-up card are the 'door card' or 'Third Street'.
3. Betting takes place. Usually the person with the lowest 'door card' has to bet first (some rooms make the highest 'door card' player bet in a pot limit game), this is referred to as the 'bring-in bet'.
4. Every player is dealt another face-up card (known as 'Fourth Street').
5. There is another round of betting.
6. Every player is dealt another face-up card (known as 'Fifth Street').
7. More betting, with the betting amount raised.
8. Every player is dealt another face-up card (known as 'Sixth Street').
9. There is another round of betting at the same level as the Fifth Street.
10. The last card is dealt this time face down (called the 'River Card' or 'Seventh Street').
11. Final bets are placed.