March 2024

Best Stud Poker Sites

Who says Hold'em players get to have all the fun playing at poker sites? Sure, the Texas flavor of cards might be the world's most popular game, but if you prefer Stud poker, you've got choice in where to play.

To help you separate the best online stud sites from the rest, our expert reviewers have compiled the following list of recommended online poker destinations. These have been graded specifically for their stud offering, and with the following key factors in mind:

  • Level of welcome bonus offered
  • Variety of poker games available to players
  • Speed, security and functionality of software

What is Stud Poker?

Stud poker is classed as any form of the game where a mix of face down and face up cards are dealt to players. Dependent on the number of cards involved, several rounds of betting are incorporated in stud poker.

Examples of this include six-card, seven-card, Razz, Mississippi, Mexican Caribbean and five-card stud. Stud poker has been around for nearly three centuries and covers a number of distinct variations of the game that remain hugely popular to this day. With the arrival of Internet casinos and real money online gambling, stud poker was an obvious place to start and there are many sites offering the game to punters today.

Why Do Players Love Stud?

Some will argue Texas Hold’em is now the most popular poker format, but stud’s enduring appeal continues and it is still considered by many the most authentic way to play poker.

Players love the history of stud – the fact it’s been a staple of saloons, casinos and smoky card rooms for centuries. Stud features in major tournaments such as the World Series of Poker, and has been documented in countless movies and TV shows over the years. The appeal of stud isn’t going away anytime soon. It’s a classic.

Get Great Welcome Bonuses

It’s always important to research the bonuses on offer when you’re choosing a real money online stud poker site. Most sites will offer a welcome bonus when you sign up, which will typically equate to a percentage match on your initial deposit. There may also be bonuses and special offers to track as you continue playing at a site.

History of Stud Poker

Stud poker has a rich and storied history. We can trace three-card stud back as far as the middle of the 18th century in the U.S., with the five-card version tarting to become popular around the time of the American Civil War. Soldiers from either side are said to have played against each other during that conflict.

Its relative simplicity has helped its growth over the years, with the game fairly easy to learn and get playing. Learning the game and mastering it, however, are two very different things.

Seven-card stud would be classed the preeminent modern variety, thanks to its inclusion in major events like the World Series of Poker and the rapid growth of the format at online casinos. Seven-stud card is the most popular variety of poker online and the game you’re going to find the most tournaments for.

FAQ

How popular is Stud?

Stud poker is right up there with Texas Hold’em in terms of popularity. Huge numbers play versions of the game online every day, and enter the large number of tournaments offered. You’ll also find packed stud tables at land-based casinos and big audiences tuning in to watch it played out at major televised poker tournaments.

Can I find online tournaments?

Yes you can. Stud tournaments are in good supply at online poker sites, allowing you to pit your skills against players from all over the world.

Will I find it easy to win?

That very much depends on the site you play at and your skill level. The biggest sites will always draw a bigger number of fish (being raw players with a low skill level), and there’s also the fact that a lot more people THINK they have mastered stud than actually have!

Our advice is to spend time researching the above listed sites, and watching for trends, in terms of tournaments and rooms that seem filled with fish.

What stake levels are available?

Everything from $0.01 to $200 stake levels should be readily available for online stud poker players. Our advice is to start small and work your way up as you grow in confidence. If you’re already a stud master, then the decision is all about your budget.

Can I play for free?

Yes you can. Nearly all poker websites have the provision for free play alongside their real cash poker games. This is a great way to learn stud and get a feel for the strategy involved. Soon enough, however, you’re going to want a taste of the real thing.

Can I play Stud on mobile or tablet?

Yes you can. The mobile revolution has prompted all the top online poker sites to ensure their games are available for tablet and mobile devices. You should have no problem playing on an iPad or smartphone, for example, either through a bespoke app or via your mobile browser.

The great thing about stud poker on mobile or tablet is you can take your poker game wherever there’s an Internet connection.