Seven Card Stud Basic Strategy

Seven Card Stud Beginner Strategy

To many people taking up Seven Card Stud for the first time, Stud may seem like a glorified card catching contest. What people don’t realize is that due to the amount of information on the table, stud can actually become one of the most challenging poker undertakings you can take. For those just starting the game, review some of the tips below.

First, let’s review starting hands for Seven Card Stud. The best starting hand you can hold on Third Street is a set. When you start with a set it is referred to as being “rolled up.” Many beginning players will slow play a rolled up set when beginning to learn stud.

While there can be many valid points made about slow playing a rolled up set, I would recommend being aggressive with your set while you are learning. First, you will encounter relatively loose games at lower stakes where aggression may be called down. Also, depending on the set, your hand strength may be hidden. If you hold a rolled up set of fours and raise, many people are going to put you on a big pair in the hole. If you start rolled up and then immediately catch quads on Fourth Street, slow down. This is the point you want to slow play and let people catch up. If you are aggressive at this point, most players will give you credit for at least a set and fold.

Next, you have large pairs from 10’s to aces. Your pair can be either split or buried. A buried pair is where your hole cards form a pair. Split pairs are those where your door card and one hole card makes a pair. Hidden pairs are clearly better than split pairs due to the fact that your hand is disguised.

Next, let’s discuss three card flushes. Not all three card flushes are created equal. When playing a three card flush you want one of two types. Three high suited connectors are strong hands. Beyond straight flush possibilities, you have possibilities to improve to a strong straight or flush. Since you are holding large suited cards, pairing your cards becomes a benefit. After three card high suited connectors, you want a three suited cards including the ace of that suit. If you improve to a four-flush, you are drawing to a nut flush. Also, pairing the ace can bring value, especially if your door card is an ace.

When playing a flush one simple rule to follow as a beginning player is, if there are more than two of your suit showing on Third Street, do not play the hand. Also, if you do not improve to a four-flush by fifth street, it is time to fold. You may even choose to fold this hand on fourth if you are facing a lot of action or you are seeing a lot of your suit out.
The next hand type to consider is three high connected cards. Beyond the straight possibilities, you can also improve to high pairs. A good rule of thumb when playing three high connected cards is if there are more than two of your needed cards showing for your straight, abandon the hand. For example, if you are holding K-Q-J and two players are showing a 10 and one player is holding an ace, then it is time to fold.

Playing middle and low pair can become trap hands due to the fact that they need significant improvement to win in most cases. Some situations that you may want to play these in are when the pair is buried or when you are in late position facing only the bring-in. If you play this hand as a buried pair, you really want to hit trips by Fifth Street. If your hand holds up, you will likely be paid off as you will not be put on a low set easily. One other possibility that you may want to consider is playing the hand as either a buried or split pair with a king or an ace. You goal is to pair your king or ace. If the ace or king is your door card, you may be able to take the pot as soon as the pair hits.

Let’s take a moment to discuss tracking up cards. Seven card stud is a game where it is imperative that you keep track of cards, especially dead cards. Unlike Holdem, each player has their own separate hand. You will in many cases see as many as 4 of the cards in their hand. These cards also have a large impact on the possibility of your hand improving. Not only do they impact your hand improving, but you opponent’s hand as well. For example, you started with a pair of buried 10’s and an ace as your door card. One of your tens was folded on third and the last ten on fourth. You paired your ace on sixth. Your opponent is showing K-Q-J-9 and just raised you on Sixth Street representing the straight. Since you know that tens are dead, you can confidently reraise him here or maybe slow play him to get an extra bet out of him on the river.

Seven Card Stud is probably one of the most difficult and technical poker games that you will play. While the game may seem like a lot of card catching, once you realize some of the nuisances of play, you will see just how tough the game can become. With the tips above you should have a good start in master Seven Card Stud.