The following article takes you through 7 card stud, with its unique rules and the various strategies needed to succeed in the game. The main difference between five card and 7 card stud strategy is the addition of two cards, making it a game in which a poker hand of five is made from seven cards. Three of those cards are face-down and the other four face up. While the addition of two cards make a difference from the five card game, it is generally a game of pairs and three of a kind and it is best played without expecting high hands.

In 7 Card Stud Poker once all players have entered their ante, a predetermined percentage of the minimum bet, the dealer deals to their left, two down-cards and one up-card. Betting is opened by the player with the lowest showing card, a forced bet called the bring in which is usually half the minimum bet although the player can bet the minimum bet if they wish.

Betting rotates clockwise from the bring in. 7 Card Stud Rules dictates once all the players have called, raised or folded, the dealer again deals to their left and all players receive a second up-card. This time the player with the highest showing hand starts the betting. The best showing hand can now be a pair. Betting begins with the minimum bet and when all bets have been called, raised or players have folded, the dealer proceeds to deal the third up-card.

The round ensues as the previous one, as does the next round when players receive their fourth and final up-card. The only exception for this round is that betting is started with the maximum bet. The seventh and last card is dealt face-down. Again with the maximum amount, betting opens with the player who opened the previous round since that player will still have the highest showing hand. In 7 Card Stud betting and raising continues until all bets have been called, in which case the player with the highest hand made of five cards from their seven takes the pot, unless all other players have folded in which case the remaining player does not have to declare their cards and wins the pot.

7 CARD STUD STRATEGY

While the probabilities for higher hands like full houses, straights and flushes increases in this game when compared to the five-card version of stud, it is still generally a game of high pairs and three of a kind. It is important to take note of every board card and calculate the odds of getting the cards you need.

Because there is still a chance to make a flush or a straight there are two main kinds of play in 7 Card Stud. Tight play for the fairly common opening high pair, whether it is partially concealed or not. Though don’t bet a concealed pair too aggressively if it is over-carded (beaten by higher cards) on the board. The idea behind this aggressive opening strategy is to force weaker hands out of the game as quickly as possible since a pair isn’t that strong for very long. A weaker hand will generally fold against such an aggressive opening bet.

If you’re lucky enough to be dealt three of a kind of high denomination, you can bet in the same way, though it might be to your advantage to slow-play until the last two cards and allow the pot to build. Other players will assume you have a high pair and those who are willing to stay in might be in for a surprise. A low-card three of a kind is generally approached with slow-play, but for different reasons because while it is still a good opening hand it might not develop into something more formidable. 7 Card Stud is a game of three of a kind and a low trip is easily beaten if the hand does not develop within the next card or two.

Pairs are a tricky business in 7 Card Stud and their strength lies in the possibility of getting a third card, so if you hold a concealed low pair and the others of that denomination are on the board, then it is best to fold unless you have a strong high card showing in which case it is worth staying in for another card, but only if your high card is stronger than most or all of the cards on the board. Fold if the hand does not develop quickly or if your necessary cards are dead.

In 7 Card Stud if you are dealt the possibility of a flush or straight in the first three cards it is a different game which generally requires trying to stay in as long as possible to see what develops. This means slow-playing and weighing the live cards against the board and the investment needed to call any aggressive betting. Low straights and flushes might be worth it if the board is weak, although the odds are probably not it your favour since it’s a difficult hand to make work and they have a tendency to come in on the last card for remaining opponents. Most good players won’t draw to a low straight or flush. Of course, if the odds of getting your high straight or flush are reduced by a number of dead cards on the board, then it probably better to fold right away. Again, this is where being able to calculate the odd is particularly valuable.

If you haven’t got the right cards by the fourth card, then its best to fold. Always keep an eye on your opponents 7 Card Stud Strategy and what their betting means, whether they are prone to bluffing or if a change from their usual aggressive play might mean something else given their proposed hand. A player who bets in Seven Card Stud as though they had a high partly concealed pair on the first deal becomes dangerous if they get a second up-card of the same on the next deal. If you think you would do better to fold, it’s probably true.