It seems stud games are the least popular among poker players nowadays, perhaps because of the fact that 4 of your 7 cards are exposed to the rest of the table.  It's hard to gain chips when you are showing AAKx, and hard to bluff someone when you are showing 2578.  Hopefully, this introduction and basic guide will help players make the transition to 7-card stud.

The basic rules of stud are as follows:

• Each hand, players are forced to post an ante, a forced bet which is relatively small compared to the stakes.  In a $5/$10 game of razz, the ante might be $1 - maybe even less.
• Play begins with each player being dealt 2 cards face down, and one card face up.  Whoever has the lowest card showing, is forced to "bring in" - a bet which is usually 1/3 to 1/2 a small bet.  In case of a tie, suits are used.  If he/she wishes, a player may choose to begin with a "complete" bet - or one small bet.
• After the first bet is made, play goes around the table clock-wise.  Players may choose to fold their hand, call, or raise (or check, if no bet is made).  A raise on the bring in amounts to one small bet.
• After every player still in the hand has placed the same amount of money into the pot, one card face-up is dealt to each player.  Play begins with whichever player is showing the best hand.
• "5th street" is dealt, again face up to each player.  Again, whoever is showing the best hand begins the betting.  From this round on, only big bets are used.  In a $5/$10 game of razz, bets are made $10 at a time.
• "6th street" is dealt, again face up to each player.  Whoever is showing the best hand begins the betting.
• "7th street" is dealt, face down to each player.  Whoever is showing the best hand begins the betting.
• After 7th street, players left in the hand reveal their cards.  Whoever is showing the best hand wins the pot.
  

Okay, so here are some suggestions for first-timers:

• LOOK FOR SOLID DRAWS.  While the best starting hand is [AA]A (also known as "rolled up aces"), moving down to [22]2, some of the next best card combinations are high suited connectors.  Look to play hands such as KQJ (all suited), or 89J.  Hands which contain a mid-high pair (99+) are worth seeing 4th street, too, just be careful as the hand progresses - it becomes harder and harder to determine where you are with just a pair.
• IF YOU SEE 4TH STREET, YOU MIGHT AS WELL SEE 5TH.  If you call a bet to see 4th street, it means you have a decent drawing hand.  If it costs a single bet to see 5th street, go ahead and call when you get a rag card, like the 2c - you still have a decent draw.  Of course, if you are going to be in the middle of a raising war, get out of the hand.
• KEEP TRACK OF YOUR OUTS.  This holds true for all stud games.  If you start with 3 diamonds, it's usually worth it to see 4th street, even with a raise on 3rd street.  However, if there are 2 or more diamonds showing, there's a much less chance of you hitting your flush.  Don't chase for cards you won't be dealt.
• USE THE UP CARDS TO YOUR ADVANTAGE.  You could have 9-high, and still hold the advantage in the hand.  Let's say you are dealt [36]9 (9 face-up), and are forced to bring in.  No one raises, and you are dealt a 7.  At this point, take a look at everyone's cards which have been dealt up.  If they are all low cards - 8s or lower, it might be worth making a bet.  As far as everyone else knows, you could have just hit for a pair of 7s - maybe you are as strong as 2 pair.  Now, while it is unlikely you will get everyone to fold here (after all, if you are going to see 4th, you might as well see 5th), you are setting yourself up in the hand as a position of strength.  If they continue to be dealt mediocre cards (AND SHOW WEAKNESS), you could easily take the pot down with another bet.  If not, that's okay, too, as the bluff did not cost you much.