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Poker Rules | 7-Card Stud

At one time, this was the most popular of all casino poker games. It's one that practically everybody knew how to play. Today, it shares the spotlight with Texas Hold'em and Omaha, but the number of Stud games in Las Vegas is still greater than either Hold'em or Omaha.

In a typical Stud game you'll find from five to eight players. On a slow day, there may be only four players at the table, including yourself, and if this happens, don't play ­ unless the card room manager agrees to reduce the rake (3-4% approximately, but varies according to casino) until at least one additional player enters the game. On a busy day, the manager might try to squeeze an eighth person into the game, but if everybody decides to play a round, he may end up with too few cards come seventh street (see below).

The Buy-in: To begin play, you must first buy chips, either from the brush at the podium or from the dealer. You'll almost always be asked for at least a $20 buy-in in a typical $1-3 game, though smaller card rooms will let you in for $10.

The Deal: The house dealer begins by giving each player one card face down, from his left. He continues with a second down card and finishes by giving each player a third card face up. This is referred to as the "door" card. Make certain you watch and remember the door cards. These give you a great deal of information about how you can proceed with your own hand.

If, for example, you have a pair of sevens with a five and two other players have a seven showing, your pair is considerably weaker than it would be if no sevens have shown. We can't emphasize this enough: pay attention to the cards around the table -- even if you have to look at them before you look at your own cards.

Possible Hands

• (52-Card Deck)
• Straight flush 10
• Four-of-a-kind 13
• Full house 156
• Flush 1277
• Straight 10
• Three-of-a-kind 13
• Two pair 75
• One pair 12
• No pair 1277

Openers: In stud, either the low or high card showing must make the initial wager equal to the low end of the game limit you're playing. So, if you are in a $1-4 game, the opener must be for at least $1. This is not a standard rule, however, as many casinos start with a mere 50-cent opener. Typically, in Las Vegas, low card opens the game.

If, however, there's an ante (which could be anything from 10 cents on up), then high card opens. You don't have to open for the minimum amount -- you can start off with a raise if you like but you must begin the betting.

Betting Rounds: Once the first wager goes into the pot, each player in turn, starting from the left of the opener, can either fold, call, or raise (and eventually reraise if there's a raise beforehand). Don't bet out of turn, not just because it disrupts the game, but also because it gives away information about you and your hand. Always wait your turn.

Starting Hands

• Three of a kind
• Three cards to a straight flush
• Three cards to a flush
• Pair of aces or kings
• Unseen pair of queens or jacks
• Three high cards to a straight
• Any unseen pair
• Preferably with a high card kicker
• Any three cards in sequence
• Three high cards

Starting Hands: Naturally, when you have to open the betting, you must bet something, but what if you have a very good hand already. On extra strong hands (three of a kind for example), don't scare others out by betting aggressively.

Your most important decision begins with those first three cards(!) so you must know the rudimentary starting hands. They are:

One recommendation: An excellent low-limit beginner's book is the classic 7-card Stud "The Waiting Game" by George Percy.

If you start with three of a kind, you have an excellent chance of winning the pot at the end of seven cards. If you've analyzed the other players in the game (a must) and think they are willing to gamble with you, then by all means, bet aggressively (don't show off). If you have too many rocks in the game (players who, like you, play only the best starting hands), bet conservatively to keep them in the pot for a round or two.

Three cards to a straight flush offers several options and should be played initially the same as three of a kind. What you're hoping for, of course, is a straight flush or even a royal, a flush, or at the very least, a straight. You might also get other decent hands, but if you do, make certain you know where you stand with them. If you have Ace-king-queen, for example, and you've seen a king and two Aces in other hands, you are in a weak position. Play carefully!

A pair of aaces or kings in your first three cards are very strong -- especially if they're hidden. (Note: No matter what kind of pair you have, if you don't improve by the fifth card, you should seriously consider folding, especially if there's any betting and raising going on.) You should probably bet these cards aggressively, wagering the maximum or raising the maximum. The goal is to discourage drawing hands from continuing against you. If you bet meekly, somebody who has a border line hand gets a cheap, or even free card that could smother your fire.

The general rule of thumb for cards of lesser value than a high pair is to be cautious. Watch the betting; watch the cards. If you see your "outs" dwindling because somebody else is getting the cards you need, be prepared to get out of the hand. If you started with a borderline hand and managed to make it stronger by the fifth card, get aggressive. At this point, you want to force out other borderline hands that are waiting to see one more card.

About half the people who play poker will tell you that you must understand odds and probabilities. While it's very helpful to get a grip on this concept, you can play the game of poker even if you don't have Einstein's mathematical brain. You will, however, be shaving a few dollars off your bottom line.

If you can't deal with pot odds, card odds, or implied odds, make sure you can keep track of the cards that are out. At least you won't be getting the worst of it. (For the mathematically brain dead, there's a very good book that will give you lessons in figuring odds and probabilities in general and in particular as they relate to poker. It's called, coincidentally, "Poker Expertise Through Probability" by Robert Riley.)

7-Card Stud Strategy

Here are some hints to help you stay afloat and possibly win a pot or two that you might not otherwise have won.

Bluff very little in low-limit Stud. For some reason, players at the low limits, especially casual, infrequent players (tourists) don't like to fold. They seem to think that because they're playing 7-card Stud, they have to see all seven cards. Because of this, there's plenty of opportunity for them to take a mediocre hand to the river (seventh street) and drown your hand.

Know thine opponents. If you're in a game with a bunch of easy-going, affable, devil-may-care fun seekers, play a relatively tight cautious game. As with bluffing, you can get into trouble with your strong and semi-strong hand against players who don't know the meaning of fold. If you're playing against "rocks" (they never play anything but the "nuts" or very best cards), don't be afraid to be aggressive. Sure, they might be sitting on a pair of aces once in a while, but not every hand. Your mid-range hands can get the best of rocks because if they don't improve by the fourth or fifth card, or if you make them think you have a really good hand, they're going to give up.

Mix up your play. More than half of the 7-card Stud hands go to the final card, at which point, it's show and tell. Since other players will be able to see what you've been playing, they might be able to guess what you will play, based on that information. So, if it's cheap enough, showdown a drawing hand or even a paltry low pair to make them think you're a "gambler."

Don't give up any information. If you don't have to show your cards, don't -- unless you want your opponents to get misinformation. The less they know about you and your style of play, the better off you are. This doesn't just apply to the cards at hand. It applies to your whole personality. Don't chew your lip when you're contemplating what to do with a pair of sixes; don't get angry and toss your loss into the muck; don't accuse the dealer of giving you bad cards. In short, hide your personality as tightly as you hide your hole cards. The less of a psychology bead your opponents have, the better. By the same token, get as much on them as you can.

Don't drink and play. There are few sorrier sights than poker players giving away their money because they're too drunk to know what they're doing. If you need a drink to relax you, by all means, do what you must, but don't overdo. Besides, even if you're giving away your money, nobody likes a loudmouth or sloppy player. Too many Bloody Marys and you might be asked to leave the game.

Don't expect to get rich in the low-limit games. Figure to make the equivalent of one big bet per hour. If you're playing $1-4 Stud, that translates into $4 per hour. If you get hot and exceed that, by all means, cash in, take a walk and, if you still feel lucky, start over. (You're not allowed to take chips off the table until you leave the table.)

Think and act like a winner. Don't whine when you lose; don't cheer when you win. Have a positive attitude. And if the cards don't do what they're supposed to do, take a break. The poker room will be there when you get back. Go grab a sandwich (but don't overload on carbohydrates that could put you into a slumber mood); watch a race or part of a game in the sports book. Wash your face.

You can leave your chips on the table for at least 30 minutes. If you're gone longer, the brush or floorman will pick them up and "lock" them up for you. Be as fresh as you can be when you sit down, and leave the game when you're too tired to think straight -- or when you've made a handsome profit.)