How to Win at 7 Card Stud

Seven card stud, like many poker games, has many variants that one can manipulate to increase their chances of coming home a big winner. Many of these, such as ante-structure (high or low) and betting limits, are determined before the game begins. If you are "tight" player, one who waits for quality hands a lower-ante structure is to your benefit; if you play "fast and loose" with hand in many pots, a higher-ante game will be to your benefit. Another factor to consider is if the high-card or the low card brings in the first bet. If you are a loose player, forcing the low card to get in is to your advantage. A game where the high card bets first will help a tight player, because you don't have to get in every pot. Whenever possible establish playing parameters that make your style of play advantageous.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

1. Know what you have. In seven card stud each player begins with three cards, one up, two face down. You will have four general types of hands: high pairs or trips, drawing hands, small pairs, or nothing, in which case you fold. Like in all poker games, now you have to learn how to use them.

2. You will want to play a high pair in most cases. Unless someone is showing four flush or straight cards at the end, you'll want to play top pairs or trips all the way through. The key to playing top pairs is to eliminate as many players as possible, as soon as possible so they don't get chances to improve their hands. With this in mind, raise with these hands from any position. If you have two Aces, re-raise from any position. As the additional cards fall, bet and raise whenever you think you have the top hand.

3. With trips, three-of-a-kind, you do not want to eliminate players, because your hand will likely stand up to most hands. In early position with trips, do not raise so other players are not afraid of your hand and will stay engaged. By calling and allowing others to get in cheaply you will get more money into the pot. After third or fourth street, however, play the hand fast to its true strength as most players who have come this far will likely throw in a few more bets at the end.

4. Playing drawing hands is more complicated and is more reliant on your table position. In general you want to keep as many people in the pot as possible, while limiting your own investment, so when you win you win big, but if you do not make your hand you can get away from it. If you have large cards in the hole, you can call a few raises on third street, if you have smaller hole cards, get out.

5. With only an Ace or a King up, if you are in a late position, a bet will often steal you the pot. In a high-ante game this is a critical component of coming out of the game with some money.

Tips & Warnings

• Remember when your first four cards are in line for a straight or a flush, you have roughly a 45 percent chance of making the hand.
• Because betting hands come infrequently, the key to seven card stud is maximizing the benefit of each premium hand.
• If you have two concealed jacks, and an opponent at an early position showing a queen raises, and a second opponent showing a king reraises, you should fold, because one of them probably has you beat, if not both.