Seven-Card Stud Basics
Seven-card stud is a simpler version of poker than Omaha or Texas holdem. Stud games provide a lot of information to the players, and just about anyone can win once they learn a few basics. Let’s assume that you’re going to play smart and only play with hands like rolled trips, three to a straight, three to a flush, and pairs with a good kicker.
4th street basics for strong hands dictates you slow play four of a kind, push three of a kind, and push two pair with caution. Four of a kind should hold up, so allow your opponents to catch up and make a flush or straight. Three of a kind requires that you force the action, and hopefully some opponents out, to increase your chances of the trips holding up. Two pair requires a similar approach to the trips, but you have to watch what your opponents draw out. This hand has a good chance of being outdrawn if a lot of opponents are allowed to remain.
5th and 6th street is where you will look to grow the pot with big hands. If no one is raising you, your trips and even your two pair are probably good. Drawing hands will hope to limp forward if possible, calling as few bets as possible. Look to call just one bet if you’re on the draw. High pair may be still good, but any raise at you will mean you’re probably beat.
7th street is where you take all the information the table has to offer and decide if anyone has drawn out on you. If an opponent has 10,9,7,6 showing and has been only calling your bets, but suddenly bets out the river, you’re probably beat. Same goes for the flush draw. A re-raise on the river is something you want to avoid, and you should check the river often in 7-stud unless you have the nuts.