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Game Rules - 7 Card Stud
Seven card stud is still a very popular poker game, both in brick and mortar casinos and online cardrooms. It is the most popular non-communal card poker game (in other words, a poker game where everyone has their own cards). Seven stud is almost exclusively played in the fixed limit betting form. Mathematical and technical skills are paramount in low limit stud games; it is far less psychologically intensive as hold’em.
Rules
In seven card stud, the player with the best poker hand (i.e. five card hand) out of his seven total cards wins. There are five rounds of betting. At first, everyone gets three cards, two down and one exposed. This is called third street. The player with the lowest card showing must bring in for half of the small bet. People can choose to raise, call, or fold to this bet. The next card is dealt face up to each of the players remaining (fourth street). On fourth and all of the later streets, the player with the highest hand showing starts the betting.
Fifth and sixth streets are similar to fourth street, where the card is dealt face up and the player with the highest hand showing starts the betting. The final card, seventh street, is dealt face down to all of the remaining players. However, in the unlikely event that it is a full game of 8 people, the final card is dealt face up and is a communal card (if there is 8 people that stayed through sixth street, there would only be 4 cards remaining in the deck).
Since seven card stud is generally played in fixed limit form, the lower bet is used for third and fourth street play, and the big bet is used for fifth street and later play. However, if there is a pair exposed on the board on fourth street, people have the option of betting the larger amount.
Third Street Play
They key concept that most new 7 stud players need to learn is proper third street play. Most newbies tend to play for too many hands at seven stud, instead of simply playing the premium hands. The end up calling all the way to the river when they had a minimal chance to win the hand from the start.
Trips: Every now and then you’ll be fortunate enough to receive three of a kind. This is the best possible hand to be dealt. If your three of a kind is small, say 888 or less, you should probably play this hand strongly. Your hand is likely to be outdrawn, so you want as few of people as possible in the game. If you have JJJ or higher, you can probably wait and jam the pot when the you can start using the big bets.
Big Pairs: If you have TT,JJ,QQ,KK, or AA your hand is generally playable and you should go in with a raise. However, you should often be cautious with these hands. If you have TT and both of your other tens are out there, your hand has lost a lot of its value. Also, if there is a lot of action out there, you should consider mucking TT or even JJ, chances are someone has QQ or better.
Middle Pairs: Hands like 88 or 99 are also playable but only under some conditions. You should play these hands if all of your cards are live (i.e. no others are on the board) and you have a good kicker. This is because it is doubtful you will not win with just a middle pair, you need your hand to improve.
Flush Draws: Three suited cards are playable, but only under certain conditions. First, ideally the flush cards should be high and close together. This way you could form a high flush but also might form a straight or just high two pair/trips. Three random low flush cards are not playable. Also, don’t raise with a flush draw; you want as many people in the pot as possible and want to draw cheaply.
Straight Draws: You can play straight draws for a call if they are open-ended (i.e. no gaps) and your improvement cards are all live. It is also preferable that your straight is a high one, so you also have the ability to form a high two pair.
Other Key 7 Stud Concepts
Pay Attention: Paying attention is key at seven stud. Often, new players just call along, hoping to hit a good hand. They don’t realize that most of their flush cards are out on the board and will even keep drawing to a flush or straight when someone has trips showing (hence, very likely to have a full house).. If you have to, drink a cup of coffee because paying attention to each and every game is crucial.
Pot Odds: It is harder to calculate in pot odds in 7 stud then limit, but the concept still applies. Again, pay attention to the number of cards that will improve your hand. If there is 10 cards showing, that means there is 42 cards left. Your odds to improve are outs/cards left, so compare that number with your bet in relation to the pot. Again, since it is difficult to have a calculator in front of you and this does not take into account implied odds, an easier way is to simply multiply your outs by 3 and compare that % to the bet/pot. Obviously this will overestimate your percentage chance for hitting, but it in a way factors in implied odds.
Value Betting: You should bet in a manner that makes the game the most advantageous to you. An example of that is betting hard, raising when you have two pair/trips on fourth/fifth street to shut out the draws
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