Like in any other poker game, one of the most important aspects of a winning 7 card stud strategy is starting hand selection. Being selective will make the difference between winning or loosing. In this article we’ll talk about the best starting hands and provide a few tips on how to play them.
Three of a kind
The best hand you can start with in 7 card stud poker. This is a hand you can slowplay, trying to trap your opponents. Although this doesn’t mean you should play them passivelly. It’s always a good idea to build a pot when you have a big hand, but it’s save to play it a bit slower if you think this will result bigger value on a later street.
Tens or better wired
A wired pair is when both of the paired cards are concealed. These kind of hands can be very powerful, but don’t get seduced in to playing every wired pair, play only the best ones. With this kind of hand, it’s usually the right move to play it agressive throughout the whole hand.
Jacks or better split
A split pair is when one of the paired cards is concealed and the other is showing.
To make up for the weakness of one card showing you’ll need a bigger pair then when the pair is wired. You should play your good pairs agressively, trying to knock players out. But beware, if you pair your door card and a player sticks with you, you might be in big trouble.
Three high cards to a flush
If you’re planning on drawing to a flush, make sure it’s a high one. Low ranking flush cards are worthless in 7 card stud. First of all, you might make your flush but someone can easily make a bigger one. And second, because your cards are low you can’t really pick up any other powerful hand.
Three high cards to a straight
The same problems as with low flush cards apply for low straight cards too. Look for a hand that contains tens through aces.
