Seven card stud is not an easy game to play. It involves a lot of steps and a host of factors that will help you win big. Newcomers to the world of seven card stud therefore need to know what hands to play and how to play them. But before all that, let us get a few brief tips and tricks that will advance your gameplay for sure.Nowadays, Texas Hold’em and Omaha have become the stars of the poker game but before these were the big bosses, there was 7 Card Stud. And that is what we are going to focus on today!
7 Card Stud Strategy: Where to Start?
The first thing to understand about the 7 Card Stud poker game is that it is not a community card game. The rules are not that complicated and can be easily understood via the following basic steps:
1. A hand starts with the dealing of the cards in the first round, beginning with the player sitting to the dealer’s left and then rotating clockwise. Players will get 3 cards in all. The first two cards will be face-down and the third card will be revealed.
2. Six street betting rounds will be dealt with players getting cards dealt to them till the fourth street.
3. At the end of the game you must have 7 cards in hand with three being face-down and four being face-up to show.
Determining the Winner in 7 Card Stud
The 7 Card Stud poker game determines the winner using the high poker rankings. This means that the winner is determined using the strategy applicable to Omaha, Texas Hold’em and more. The high card is the lowest holding, while the royal flush has the highest holding in 7 Card Stud.
You have to use only 5 cards in order to create your winning combination. The rest of the two cards must be combined with the five community cards. What is the difference in 7 Card Stud then? Individual players get their own set of cards.
Betting in 7 Card Stud Poker
If you have an idea of how to play fixed limit Hold’em, then you will be familiar with 7 Card Stud and its betting strategies. It is better to have an in-depth knowledge regarding the betting rules of 7 Card Stud Poker.
In brief, at the start of a round of gameplay, all players will put their respective wagers into a collective pot. Usually, 7 Card Stud has a wagering strategy of about 10% of the large bet. Therefore, in a $2/$4 poker game, the ante would be around $0.50. This will be put into the pot to commence the game of 7 Card Stud poker.
Third Street
The ante has been announced and put into the pot by all the players. The one with the lowest card will be the bring-in. They will put in money equal to the ante into the pot. They can also make it a small bet of around $2. The lowest suits are diamonds and clubs.
Fourth Street
This starts when the player with the highest combination with their face-up cards is determined. This player can then check, pass the action or up the bet. The rest of the players take their decisions according to the condition of their cards – call, raise or fold.
If you have a pair right here, then the best can be increased to $4.
Fifth, Sixth, and Seventh Streets – Big Bet Rounds
The lowest bet in this stage of the game is the biggest bet made ($4, $8, $12, $16 and so on). Raises will be made accordingly.
The Showdown
The basic hand ranking procedure will be used for 7 Card Stud poker. All the players will show their cards and the one with the highest combination will win the game.
If there is a tie (for instance, two players with a Queen-high royal flush), then the combined pot of money will be split. Clubs and spades are high in the card profile.
7 Card Stud Strategy Basics
You need to learn some 7 Card Stud strategies in order to win the game. Read on to know more.
What Cards Should You Play
If you are a newbie, stick to the strong starting hands. More hands can easily be added once you understand the game well. Three of a kind and big and medium level pairs (AA to 88) work just fine.
Learn How to Read Your Opponents
You must learn to read your fellow players in order to know who you have to bet against in order to win big. In this case, look at players who call and raise constantly even with a flawed board.
Pay Attention to What Cards Get Burned
Memorise all the cards that are getting burned or discarded. This will enable you to make a better hand as well as get an idea what your opponent wants from the community deck as well.
Play Your Pocket Pairs and Trips
Understand that 7 Card Stud is a fixed limit and hence also a fixed time game. Therefore do not wait to play your higher winning combinations such as your pocket pairs and trips to win big.
Read the Table
Keep looking at the cards your opponent is burning and showing in order to know what to keep away from them so that your chances of winning get larger.
Bluffing in 7 Card Stud: Is It Really a Thing?
Yes, you can indeed bluff through a game of 7 Card Stud. You just need to take a look at where you can do so. The best time to bluff is when your opponent has a weaker board and you know you can win.
Seven Card Stud Strategy for Beginners
The two things every 7 Card Stud beginner must remember include:
1. Make sure you begin the gameplay with high starting hands
2. Look at the cards your opponent is burning or discarding
Conclusion
If you like Texas Hold’em and Omaha or just poker in general, but want something new to play, then try a game of 7 Card Stud. You will not be disappointed!
FAQs
What’s the best hand in 7 Card Stud?
A straight flush is the best hand in 7 Card Stud. A straight flush includes 5 cards of the same suit in proper sequence.
How do you win at poker studs?
The way to win at poker studs is to be good at bluffing and ensuring that you only play on if your hand is that good.
How are cards dealt 7 card stud?
The cards in 7 card stud are dealt via six streets. There will be 5 face-up cards and 2 face-down cards in the end.