How to Play Follow the Queen
Follow the Queen is a fun twist on seven-card stud poker that keeps every hand lively. If you want clear beginner steps and friendly tips, start here and then check out more detail at Playmore.
| Quick facts | Details |
|---|---|
| Game name | Follow the Queen |
| Family | North American home stud poker |
| Typical players | 2–10 |
| Deck | 52-card standard deck |
| Beginner focus | Seven-card-stud framework: a queen makes the next dealt card wild; the wild rank changes as more queens appear. |
What you are trying to do
Build the best five-card poker hand from the seven cards you receive. The twist is wild cards: when a queen comes into play it triggers the next dealt card to become wild. That wild rank can change during the hand if more queens appear.
What you need and how to set up
One normal 52-card deck, a dealer token, chips or agreed stakes, and 2–10 players. Sit around a table so everyone can see face-up cards. Agree on antes or blinds and how many betting rounds you will use. Also agree whether queens must be dealt face-up to have effect; house rules vary.
How to play
- Agree antes and the dealer. The dealer shuffles and deals each player cards over several stages so each person ends with seven cards total. Some cards are dealt face down and some face up, following the seven-card-stud idea.
- After the initial deal, start the first betting round. Players check, call, raise, or fold according to your agreed stake structure.
- Deal the next card or cards for each player. If a queen appears in the face-up cards (or as your group has agreed), note it. The very next single card dealt to any player becomes the wild rank for everyone.
- When that next card is dealt, all cards of its rank are wild for the rest of the hand, until another queen appears. If another queen shows up later, the wild rank is replaced by the rank of the next card dealt after that queen.
- Continue dealing and holding betting rounds until each player has seven cards in total and the final betting round is complete.
- Remaining players compare hands in a showdown. Count wild cards when forming the best five-card poker hand.
Note: Exact deal order, which cards are face-up, and precise betting sequences vary by house. Check the authoritative rules or your group's preferred version for exact turn-by-turn steps.
How a round or game ends
A round ends when all but one player folds or when the final betting round finishes and players reveal hands in a showdown. The best hand taking wilds into account wins the pot. If you play multiple rounds, pass the dealer token and repeat. Specific tie rules and payout splits can vary by group.
Beginner tips
- Agree your exact variant before you start. Small rule differences change strategy a lot.
- Watch face-up queens closely. They can turn a weak hand into a winner when the wild rank changes.
- Conserve chips early. Wilds make late-stage surprises common, so don’t overcommit too soon.
- Practice reading opponents’ upcards. With wilds, be ready to fold if the board suddenly helps others.
FAQ
What exactly becomes wild?
The rank of the single card dealt after a queen is the wild rank for everyone. For example, if that next card is a 7, then sevens are wild until another queen changes the wild card.
Do queens dealt face-down count?
That depends on your house or regional rules. Many groups require the queen to be face-up to trigger the wild card. Decide this before play and follow the authoritative rules for your version.
How are ties handled at showdown?
Ties are usually split according to standard poker rules, but some groups use special payouts. Confirm tie and split rules with your group before starting.