Seven
Card Stud used to be the worlds most popular poker
game (prior to the Texas Holdem boon) It's a is a fun game
that requires a little skill, a little strategy, a decent
memory and... of course: some help from lady luck.
Seven Card Stud is played with 2-8 players.
Prior to the deal, each player posts an 'ante.' Once everyone
has antied, each player is dealt three cards: two face down
and one face up.
The player with the lowest ranked face-up
card, begins the betting with a 'bring in' (a forced minimal
bet.) The initial round of betting proceeds from the bring-in,
in clockwise order. Anyone who wishes to play their hand,
must post the bring-in. *Note: players are also allowed
to raise during this opening round.
After the first betting round, another
upcard is dealt to each player, followed by another round
of betting.
The second betting round begins with the
player whose upcards make the best poker hand (unlike the
bring-in who starts the wagering with the lowest hand.)
Example: if someone is showing a pair of dueces and no-one
else at the table is showing a pair... then the pair of
dueces opens the second round of betting.
Stud Slang: each betting round
is often refered to as a 'street.' The street you're
on corresponds to the number of cards in your hand. For
example, the prior betting round is usually called 4th
street ( you have four cards in your hand.)
5th street - A fifth card is dealt face
up to every player. Play proceeds as in the previous round,
with the highest hand betting first. If you're playing a
'limit' stud game all bets and raises increase on 5th street
& must be equal to the high limit bet size.
6th street - A sixth card is dealt face
up to every player. Play proceeds as in the previous round
(all bets and raises must be equal to the high limit bet
size.)
7th street - A seventh and final card is
dealt face down to every player. After all the cards are
out (2 down, 4 up, 1 down) a fifth betting round takes place;
final bets/raises and/or calls are made and the remaining
players showdown their hands. Upon showdown, each
player makes the best five-card poker hand out of the seven
cards he was dealt. Anyone who has not folded prior to and/or
on the last round of betting will have the option of showing
their hand in hopes of taking down the pot.
General Strategy:
Seven Card Stud is a high card game. More
winning hands are decided by the highest pair of two pair
or just the highest pair, than by straights, flushes and
other big hands. Any time your high hand is beaten by what
you see on the board (in other peoples hand) fold, unless
you think you still have the best drawing hand. Fast play
early high hands ( that could win without improvement) to
thin out the competition.
When you start with a high pair, fast play
to eliminate as many players as possible.
The first four cards are the major key
to winning at Seven Card Stud . If your starting hands develop
according to plan, you can be a strong favorite to win.
If they don't, you get out early.
Slow play starting draw hands like three
to a straight or a flush. You want to keep other players
in to build the pot odds.
Don't play three to a low straight or a low flush.
Watch the board closely for key cards that
can seriously diminish your chances of making a good hand
and for opponents hands that look dangerous. Play cautiously
and fold out early if it looks like the tide is turning
against you.
The printed does not do any poker game
justice. The BEST way to learn/experience seven card stud
is to get in the ring and mix-it up. The beauty of online
poker play is you can do that for free (or VERY cheap.)
Try a few hands of Seven card stud... ya might be surprised
how much fun some 'alternative' games can be.
Play Seven Sard Stud at
these fine sites:
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