A bring in is a mandatory forced bet in stud poker variants that kicks off the action, made by the player showing the lowest exposed card (or highest in razz). It’s stud poker’s answer to blinds in hold’em, a way to create action from the start.
The bring in serves as stud poker’s mechanism to ensure there’s always something to play for in every hand. In Seven Card Stud, the player with the lowest door card (first exposed card) must either make the minimum bring in bet or complete to a full bet. This forced action prevents players from simply folding every hand until they get premium cards. The bring in amount is typically set between one-third and one-half of the lower betting limit, in a $10/$20 stud game, the bring in might be $3 or $5.
Unlike blinds in hold’em which rotate by position, the bring in in stud games is determined by the cards showing. This adds a unique dynamic where the same player might be forced to bring in multiple hands in a row if they keep catching low cards. In games like Seven Card Stud Hi-Lo, the bring in becomes even more interesting strategically, as low cards that force the bring in are often desirable for making low hands.
How Does Bring In Work?
Example 1: Basic Bring In Mechanics
You’re playing $10/$20 Seven Card Stud with a $3 bring in. After the deal, you show 2♣ as your door card, the lowest card showing. You must either bring in for $3 or complete to $10. You choose to bring in for $3. The player to your left with K♠ showing raises to $10. When action returns to you, you can call $7 more, raise to $20, or fold.
Example 2: Strategic Completion
You’re dealt (A♠A♥)3♦ in a $20/$40 Stud game with a $5 bring in. Your 3♦ is the lowest showing card. Instead of just bringing in for $5 with your hidden aces, you complete to $20, representing strength despite your low door card. This play often wins the antes immediately or builds a bigger pot with your premium hand.
Sizing Considerations
The bring in amount is predetermined by the game structure, but you always have the option to complete to a full bet. Completing shows strength and can win the antes immediately. The decision to bring in for the minimum or complete depends on your hidden cards, the other door cards showing, and your table image. Completing with a low showing card is a powerful move that often gets respect.
Position Considerations
Unlike hold’em, position in stud is determined by exposed cards, not seating. The bring in acts first on third street (the first betting round), but on later streets, the best showing hand acts first. This means the bring in position offers no lasting positional advantage, you’re forced to act first with the worst showing card, putting you at an immediate disadvantage that only hidden strength can overcome.
Strategy Deep Dive
Optimal Frequencies
| Situation | Bring In Only | Complete |
|---|---|---|
| Premium pairs in hole (AA, KK, QQ) | 20-30% | 70-80% |
| Medium pairs in hole (88-JJ) | 60-70% | 30-40% |
| Three to a straight/flush | 80-90% | 10-20% |
| Weak holdings | 95-100% | 0-5% |
Board Texture Impact
The other door cards showing dramatically affect your bring in strategy:
✓ Do complete when: Few high cards showing (your hidden strength is more likely to be best)
✓ Do complete when: Multiple players showing your pair card (they can’t have what you have)
✓ Do complete when: Mostly medium cards showing (less likely anyone has premium hands)
✗ Don’t complete when: Multiple aces or kings showing (likely facing strength)
✗ Don’t complete when: Your kicker cards are dead (reduces your hand’s potential)
✗ Don’t complete when: Many players showing cards that complete your draws
Ranges and Hand Selection
For completing from the bring in position, focus on:
- Value hands: Hidden pairs, especially premium pairs, three-flushes with high cards
- Deception hands: When your door card perfectly disguises your holding (like 3♦ showing with pocket aces)
- Ante-stealing hands: When you sense weakness based on tells or betting patterns, even medium strength hands can complete profitably
Pro Tip: Track which players always just bring in versus those who mix in completions. Players who never complete from the bring in are missing profitable spots and can be exploited by raising them liberally.
When Should You Bring In?
You must bring in when you have the lowest (or highest in razz) exposed card, it’s not optional. The strategic decision is whether to bring in for the minimum or complete:
1. Just bring in with weak holdings, When you have nothing and want to see fourth street cheaply
2. Complete with hidden monsters, Premium pairs deserve to build a pot immediately
3. Complete as a steal, When you read weakness in the other door cards
4. Mix your strategy, Good players complete roughly 15-25% of the time from the bring in to stay unpredictable
When Should You NOT Complete from Bring In?
Completing from the bring in position can be a costly mistake in these situations:
1. When multiple high cards are showing, Facing likely strength makes completing dangerous. If you see three aces or kings as door cards, just bring in and get out cheaply when raised.
2. With weak draws against aggression, Holding (5♥6♥)2♣ might look like three to a straight flush, but completing into a table full of high cards is burning money. The implied odds don’t justify the immediate cost.
3. When your cards are dead, If you have (8♠8♣)3♦ but see two eights as door cards, your set potential is gone. Don’t complete with a hand that has no room to improve.
4. Against observant opponents who’ve noticed you always complete with strength, If you’ve completed your last three bring ins and won uncontested, the table has noticed. Just bring in next time even with a premium hand to reset your image.
Common Mistakes with Bring In
Never completing from the bring in. Players who always bring in for the minimum are leaving money on the table. Premium hidden pairs and three-card draws deserve aggression even from the worst position. Mix in completions 15-25% of the time.
Completing with transparent holdings. If you show 2♣ and complete after two aces and a king have folded, everyone knows you have a big pair. Your completion tells a story, make sure it’s believable based on the exposed cards.
Not adjusting to game flow. In a tight game where five players fold to your bring in regularly, start completing more often as a pure steal. In a loose game where every pot goes multiway, tighten up your completion range to true premium hands.
Origin and History
The bring in was introduced to stud poker to speed up the game and ensure action. Before the bring in rule, stud games could bog down with everyone checking the first round. Casino operators in Las Vegas during the 1960s popularized the bring in to keep games moving and increase the house’s hourly rake.
Key Takeaway
The bring in is more than just a forced bet, it’s a strategic opportunity in disguise. While you’re required to put money in with the worst showing card, the option to complete gives you a powerful tool for building pots with hidden strength or stealing antes with well-timed aggression. Master the balance between bringing in cheaply and completing strategically to maximize your profit from this unique stud poker position.
Hear It at the Table
FAQ
What happens if two players have the same low card for the bring in?
Can you raise after someone completes your bring in?
Is the bring in used in all stud variants?
Trivia
In the highest stakes Seven Card Stud games ever played at Bobby’s Room in the Bellagio, the bring in alone could be $1,000, more than many players’ entire bankrolls. These games with $4,000/$8,000 limits featured a minimum bring in larger than most people’s monthly mortgage payments.
