Pronunciation: [stˈʌd pˈə͡ʊkə] (IPA) 
The spelling of the word "stud poker" may seem straightforward, but there are a few things to note. First, "stud" is pronounced with a short "u" sound, as in "uh." Second, "poker" is pronounced with a long "o" sound, as in "poh-ker." The IPA transcription for "stud poker" would be /stʌd ˈpoʊkər/. So remember, when playing the game of "stud poker," make sure to spell it correctly and pronounce it clearly!
Stud poker is a variant of poker in which players are dealt a combination of face-up and face-down cards during multiple betting rounds. The game gets its name from the practice of each player receiving a specified number of cards that are dealt face-down (known as "hole cards") and a certain number of cards dealt face-up (known as "upcards").
In stud poker, the number of cards dealt face-down and face-up can depend on the specific version being played. The two most common forms of stud poker are five-card stud and seven-card stud. In five-card stud, players receive one face-down card followed by one face-up card, with subsequent rounds of betting in between each new face-up card dealt. Seven-card stud follows a similar format, but players receive two face-down cards instead of one, with the addition of three face-up cards and one final face-down card.
The objective of stud poker is to make the best five-card hand possible using a combination of the face-up and face-down cards. The game involves strategic decision-making, as players must assess the strength of their hand based on the visible cards of opponents and the progression of betting rounds.
Stud poker has been played for many decades and has gained popularity both in casual home games and in professional poker tournaments around the world. It requires a mix of skill, knowledge of the game's rules and strategies, and a bit of luck in order to be successful.
The term "stud poker" dates back to the mid-19th century and its exact etymology is not definitively known. However, it is believed to have originated from the word "studhorse", which refers to a type of horse used for breeding. In the game of stud poker, players receive a mix of face-up and face-down cards, resembling the fixed position of a studhorse during breeding. The similarity in position and consistency led to the use of the term "stud" for this particular variant of poker.
