Seven-Card Stud

This week, I'm going to look at the much underrated Seven-Card Stud. Sometimes overlooked in favor of faster, quicker games, this game is still the epitome of classic poker - a challenge of skill, patience and endurance, but with simple game rules.

Betting in Seven-Card Stud consists of an initial Ante, preceded by 5 Betting Rounds. Throughout the game each player receives 3 face-down cards and 4 face-up cards. Each player then creates the highest valued hand, using any combination of 5 from the total of 7 cards.

It's is a distinct advantage to be able to watch other players' hands develop. This helps when considering strategy.

For example, watch for 'dead' cards. You may have two aces in the hole after the initial deal, and you'd normally consider betting aggressively but NOT if you can see those other two aces sitting face up in the other players' hands.

Another thing to remember is that the first three cards are more important in Seven-Card Stud than in Five-Card Stud.

Most players, even some good ones, believe that they should enter the betting round with a lower ranking hand than they would in Five-Card Stud on the basis that they have four more cards with which to improve their hand. But this applies to other players too and the betting hasn't started yet!

It must also be remembered that Seven-Card Stud is generally a high card game (10 thru Ace) meaning most games are decided on a high pair or the best of two high pairs.

Therefore, it's better to fold early if you don't have at least two high cards (10 thru Ace) or at least one card that is higher than a nything showing on the board in your starting hand unless you are playing a 'draw' hand (a high straight, high flush or a straight flush).

Remember let them beat you, don't try to beat them!

Ok class, that's a wrap for this week’s lesson. For Lesson 6, be sure to come back next week and remember to always keep abreast of Games Theory. Exchange new information with players, and read Poker related literature - it helps!