Online Casino Project - Seven Card Stud Tips

As would be expected, since stud poker games are more different in structure than other poker games in relation to one another, such as Omaha and Texas Holdem, a player's overall strategy will vary more considerably while playing Seven Card Stud. Although the strategy itself is quite simple and easy to follow, the fact that Seven Card is a high game - meaning more hands are won with the high cards of pairs and two pairs than any other hand - the strategy primarily focuses on how high their high cards actually are. This will ultimately help players decide on whether to fold or stay, and in how fast and aggressive one plays the pot. The first element a player should be concerned with is their starting hand. Thereafter, the player should focus on their drawn cards, as well as other players, paying special attention to the highest card showing on the table. The best playing hands dealt from the beginning of play, which should be pursued as noted are:

Tip #1 --------- Play all potential High Straights / High Flushes

A potential high straight consists of three cards (two high cards) with no more than five value differences between the highest and lowest card. (i.e. 8,10,Queen) A potential High Flush consists of at least two high cards and a third card all of the same suit. All straights and flushes with only one high card should be played with caution. Only aggressively play potential straights/flushes that have at least two high cards (10-Ace) or at least one high card that beats the value of all cards showing on the table (An aggressive approach would consist of two raises). If a potential high straight, flush or straight flush does not become a four-card potential after Fourth Street, a player should check and/or call (If the hand has only one high card, and it does not become at least a pair, the hand should be folded). If the player chooses to play a high two-card straight/flush through Fifth Street, and the potential straight/flush does not become a four-card potential or does not develop at least a High Pair, the player should check and fold.

Tip #2 --------- Play all high pairs and three of a kinds

All high three of a kinds and high pairs (including two pairs) should be played very aggressively from the beginning. When a higher card shows on the table, a player would be wise to slow down and check/call. All low three of a kinds should be played slowly in the beginning. The Fifth Street betting round is a good time to bet and raise, especially if there are not many high cards on the table already.

Tip #3 --------- Play all high cards

If a player has a larger high card than all other cards showing on the table, the hand should be played through Fourth Street. If after the Turn, the player's high card does not become a pair, the best option is to slow play the hand, meaning to simply check and call when needed to finish the betting round.

In essence, the only time a player should aggressively pursue the pot during the first two betting rounds is when they hold either a high pair or high three of a kind. If, after Fourth or Fifth Street, the hand holds great potential for a high ranking hand, like a Full House or Straight, players should start to raise the pot. If a high hand is formed early on, the pot should be raised aggressively. All in all, the best stud poker strategy is one that uses common sense, or rather, street smarts. For example, let's say a player is holding a high three of a kind and is playing the pot very aggressively as should be. However, after the Sixth Street betting round, another player shows a pair with a value higher than the three of a kind. Since all players are holding three unexposed cards, there is a chance that high pair may actually be a high three of a kind - and a higher one at that. The player with the original three of a kind should take more care at this point, not playing the pot too aggressively. As should be noted, circumstances change from street to street, which a player needs to be aware of at all times. If the potential for a hand to be beat is high, and/or exists from at least two other players, folding is the smartest option. Like all games of poker, seven-card stud hands should be folded more frequently with the knowledge of just how likely another player's hand may be coming into existence.

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