7 Card Stud - Starting Hands

One of the keys to being a strong 7-Stud Poker player is to know which hands are playable and which are not. The following chart summarizes the kinds of starting hands you'll want to play:

Low Draws:

1. Three small cards with an ace: 6-4-A and similar hands offer good low draws plus the chance of making a high hand by pairing aces.


2. Low cards, no ace, no straight draw: Hands like 7-6-2 that do not have straight potential and do not offer a flush draw are dangerous unless they are the only low draw or the only other low draw is to an 8.


3. Three low cards to an 8: Avoid this hand unless it:
   (a) is the only low draw
   (b) has straight or flush possibilities
   (c) is heads up against the bring-in

High Hands:

1. Trips (a rolled-up hand): You won’t often be dealt a rolled-up hand, but when you start with three of a kind, you’ll be contesting the pot until the bitter end.
   
2. Two aces and a low card: A-A-3, A-A-2, and similar hands can go high or low, but aces do better against a small field, and raising with this hand is the preferred course of action.
   
3. The best high hand: If you have a pair of kings or queens, and it is the best possible high hand, play if your cards are live. If your hand appears to be the second-best high hand, throw it away.
   
4. Three to a high straight flush: Play until fifth street if your cards are live. But, keep playing if you improve.
   
5. Small pair, ace kicker: Play if there’s no raise and your cards are live.
   
6. Three to a high flush: Play against a large field if your cards are big and live.
   

Two Way Hands:

1. Three to a low straight flush: A hand like the 5 4 3 is an incredibly powerful starting hand. Any club or any low card on the next two rounds keeps you in the hunt. You might make a low hand, a straight, a flush, or a straight flush. You can also make a low hand and a flush.
   
2. Three to a low flush: This a very strong starting hand, and if you continue to improve, you stand a good chance of scooping.
   
3. Three wheel cards: 5-4-3 , 5-4-2 , 5-4-A, 5-3-2 , 5-3-A, and 5-2-A are very strong hands, especially against large fields.
   
4. Three small straight cards: 6-5-4, 7-6-5, and similar low straight draws do well in multiway pots - but be careful. While hands like 8-7-6 can make low straights, you’re working only one end of the spectrum. If you catch a 9 or 10, you improve your chances of making a straight, but your chances of making a low hand are reduced.
   

Resources for various Seven Card Stud topics:

• Seven Stud.com provides many different articles on seven card stud strategy, and bonuses
• Play Seven Card Stud for Free & get Bonuses at PartyPoker.
• Play Razz at Full Tilt Poker