Seven-card Stud is the precursor to Texas Holdem. It is played both as a high only game and a high low game. The play is as follows: each player is dealt two face down and one face up. A round of betting follows. Each player is then dealt three cards face up with a round of betting between each card. The last card is dealt face down and the final round of betting is completed.

The good starting hands in this game are a pair in the first three cards, three top cards or three of the same suit. Other sets of three cards could be played if the player has a hunch or is just looking for action. The betting would also determine if you should play a lesser starting hand. Once the hands are a little further along each player can size up their chances and what they believe the other players have in their hands. This is where the skill at playing seven-card comes into play. Some players are very good at reading other players hands. If you have two pair with two cards to go you should be raising and for sure you should be calling. Straight and flush front porches are seen often in this game and do not get there on the last card dealt. The betting by the player should give some clue as to whether they have the hand or not. A player with three of a kind at any point in the game with cards left to draw should be putting pressure on the table and making it expensive to see the next card. Pressure is the best way to cut out miracle draw players and those that hope to make a hand but the odds are not with them.

Conclusions

Seven-card stud is played on most online sites and in most poker rooms. The High Low version is also played on many sites and in live casinos. Seven-card is a little different than a Holdem game as each player has their own seven cards and there are no common cards. Full houses are more common in this game than you would expect since the players are holding their own seven cards. Respect raises in this game as the player making the raise could have a very good hand. The early play of the hand will often give a clue to its value.