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February 03rd, 2012
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Seven Card Stud Strategy

Apr 19, 02:54 PM

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Seven card stud is a very popular version of Poker, that you will often see being played at the casinos. This game type is much different then that of Hold'Em, since each player is dealt 7 cards and there is no community cards. The aspect of seven card stud that makes it so much fun to play is the fact that 4 of those cards are dealt face up, so that all of your opponents can see part of your hand. This element allows for a vast range of strategies, however, there are some basic ones that are important to learn first.


The main goal or strategy of almost every game you play is to win. Learning how to win at 7 card stud can be a little tricky but after some practice and experience, the game's concepts will appear to be much easier to you. As opposed to other poker games such as Texas Hold'Em and Omaha, it takes much longer for you hand to shape up in 7 card stud. Since this is true, it is important to see what hands are good to start with, and what hands aren't good to start with. Also, it is important to try and stay away from risky draws such as gut shot straight draws, or flush draws with only a card left. Being able to determine what hands are reasonable for play is one of the most important skills you should acquire, and only experience can really enhance your understanding of these guidelines.


It is important to realize what hands have potential and what hands don't if you want to be a good seven card stud player. Again, there are guidelines to this, but the real understanding of this concept will come from actual game play. An obvious example of this would be if first three cards dealt to you were high cards. Just those three cards aren't that great since any low pair can beat you, however, you have 4 more cards to get a high pair, and if no one bets you will get free cards. This is a 3 card hand that you would want to stay in for if there are little or no bets since the potential is so great. An example of a hand you would want to throw away would be 3 cards that are not matching in any form. This seems like the obvious choice, yet many players will get caught up in the idea that they get 4 cards and they will pay only to draw nothing and lose. It is best if you throw this hand away before any of your money is invested.

One of the hardest parts about learning hand selection is that the vast majority of hands you will be dealt will lie somewhere between great and awful. It is for this reason that it is important to have experience and have the basic idea of what hands are playable and what hands are not. You need to analyze your hand, and determine if your chances of improving upon your hand are worth the amount of money you will have to pay to do so. Also, even if you have a good chance of improving, you have to be observant of the other players face up cards to make sure that they don't already have your hand beat even if you do improve. This is why seven card stud is so interesting, because you are able to base a unique strategy every hand depending on the face up cards of your opponents.


This strategy guideline will hopefully help you better understand the hand selection that you have to make when playing seven card stud. Determining the hands you hold and fold is one of the most important aspects of any poker game, but it is especially true in seven card stud. This decision should be based upon your chances of improving, and a logical assumption of what you opponent could have based on their betting patterns and the cards they are showing. When you get to the table, try to have already determined the hands you won't play no matter what, and the hands that you will most likely play. Of course there will be hands between these two extremes but deciding if you will play these depends on your opponents and the game. Remember, if you have any more questions feel free to email me.