I love seven card stud. It is another “cowboy” poker game, although I don’t think that poker originated in the US – there are a lot of claims that poker originated in France or Germany, but I always think of cowboys when I play either seven of five card stud.  Until Texas Hold’em arrived, seven card stud was the most popular game. It allows more variations because of the extra two cards dealt – only five are used to make the final hands.

Usually, there are two cards dealt face down followed by one up (third street). Betting stats with the player showing the highest card, or if using a “bring in” the player with the lowest card and after this round of betting, another up card is dealt (fourth street) and another round of betting ensues. Another card and round of betting on fifth and sixth street, then the last card is dealt down (seventh street or the river.) Betting in these subsequent rounds always starts with the highest hand showing.

Seven card stud is usually played limit and there also limits to how many raises can be made. This does vary from place to place and most home games have their own rules. I have also played it pot limit – and let me tell you,- that can result in some substantial pot sizes, making everyone wary of trying to limp in with a call.

Initial hand selection is a crucial factor in seven card stud. Perhaps even more so than in Texas. Lousy starting hands will rarely make a good hand, so things like 2, 7, 10 off suit need to go in the trash very quickly. Hidden big pairs in the first down cards are extremely valuable and should be bet aggressively from the get go in order to weed out the trash.  If some one is going to draw to a straight or a flush, it is vital to make them pay early on.

Generally, I will play any pair and three cards of a straight or flush through Fifth Street, and let them go if I don’t improve by the fifth card. This is because the limits usually double on fifth street, so you can usually get there pretty cheaply. I will play any big pair – Aces, Kings or Queens, all the way to the river. I pretty much will not play any other starting hand unless I am in a tournament and am forced to by the antes.

Seven card stud is very similar to Texas Hold’em in some ways, but a totally different game in others. The main difference is that position is no longer important because that changes during the game depending on the shown cards. I certainly have fun playing this one and it is entertaining when playing against younger players who grew up on Texas.