Official Poker Rules BoardDocument OPR-714 · Updated 28 September 2026

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Shifting Sands Rules

Shifting Sands is a Seven Card Stud game in which players choose which of their cards to turn face up. The first card each player exposes becomes their own wild card, together with every other card of that rank in their hand. The best five-card hand from seven cards wins, and five of a kind is possible.

Players: Up to 7
Type: Stud (roll your own)
Wild cards: Each player's first up card, and its rank, for that player only
Pot: High only

Article 1Players, deck and wild cards

1.1

Shifting Sands is a variation of Seven Card Stud and is closely related to Roll Your Own. Up to seven players may take part, using a standard 52-card deck.

1.2

Each player ends with seven cards and makes their best five-card hand from them.

1.3

Personal wild cards. The first card a player turns face up is wild for that player. Every other card of the same rank that the player holds is also wild for them. A player's wild rank has no effect on any other player's hand.

1.4

A wild card may stand for any card the player chooses. Five of a kind is therefore possible. Unless the dealer announces otherwise, five of a kind ranks above a straight flush. See hand rankings.

Article 2Antes and the deal

2.1

Each player places the agreed ante in the pot before the deal.

2.2

The dealer deals each player three cards face down. Players look at their cards, and the first betting round takes place.

2.3

After the first betting round, every player chooses one of their three cards and turns it face up. All players do this at the same time, so that no player can see another's choice first. This card sets the player's wild rank (rule 1.3).

Article 3Exposing cards and betting

After the wild cards are set, players receive three more cards face down, one at a time. Each time, they choose one face-down card to turn up. The seventh card is dealt face down and stays hidden.

Stage	What happens	Cards held
Deal	3 cards face down. Betting.	3 down
First exposure	Each player turns up one card, which sets their wild rank. Betting.	2 down, 1 up
Fourth card	1 card face down, then each player turns up one down card. Betting.	2 down, 2 up
Fifth card	As for the fourth card. Betting.	2 down, 3 up
Sixth card	As for the fourth card. Betting.	2 down, 4 up
Seventh card	1 card face down. Nothing is exposed. Final betting.	3 down, 4 up

3.1

At each exposure, players choose simultaneously which of their face-down cards to turn up. Only the first exposed card sets the wild rank. Later exposed cards are wild only if they match that rank.

3.2

The published rules have the second betting round opened by the player two seats to the dealer's left, and do not fix the order for other rounds. The dealer shall announce the betting order before the deal.

3.3

If all but one player folds, the remaining player wins the pot without showing their cards.

Article 4Showdown

4.1

After the final betting round, the remaining players turn all seven cards face up and declare their best five-card hand, using their own wild cards.

4.2

The highest hand wins the pot. Identical hands split the pot.

4.3

The cards speak. The table reads each hand from the cards shown, whatever the player declares.

Example

Two wild cards make four of a kind

Player A turned up the 8♠ first, so eights are A's wild rank. A's later up cards are K♣4♦J♥ and A's down cards are K♥8♦2♣.

A holds two wild eights. With the K♣K♥ they make four kings, with the jack as the fifth card.

Another player holding the 8♣ gains nothing from it unless eights are that player's own wild rank.

Article 5Variations

5.1

In Roll Your Own, players also choose which cards to expose, but there are no personal wild cards.

5.2

Some tables play with a low half or other house rules. Any such change shall be announced by the dealer before the deal.

Article 6Strategy notes

Choose your first exposed card with care. It fixes your wild rank for the whole hand, so a rank you already hold two or three of is usually a strong choice.
Keep any later cards of your wild rank face down where possible, so the table cannot see how strong your hand is.
Because wild cards are common, hands such as straights and flushes rarely win. Expect four of a kind or better to be needed.

Article 7Frequently asked questions

Which cards are wild in Shifting Sands?

Your first face-up card is wild for you, and so is every other card of the same rank in your hand. Each player has their own wild rank, and it does not affect anyone else.

Can you get five of a kind in Shifting Sands?

Yes. With wild cards, five of a kind is possible. It normally ranks above a straight flush.

How many cards do you get in Shifting Sands?

Seven: four face up and three face down. You choose which cards are turned up, except the seventh card, which stays face down.

Final authority

Where any doubt remains in the application of this document, Rob is right.

Hand rankings, high to low: royal flush · straight flush · four of a kind · full house · flush · straight · three of a kind · two pair · one pair · high card. Suits never break ties.

Shifting Sands Rules · OPR-714 · officialpokerrules.com/shifting-sands/

OPR-714Uncontrolled when printed