7 Card Stud - Basic Strategy

[Teacake]

I fancied a wee change from my usual Holdem game so thought I'd dabble in a bit of 7CS as I've never played it before.

I watched a .50/1 table for 5 mins picked up the gist of what was going on & sat down with $25 to try to learn the game a wee bit.

Pre 4th street I'm playing pairs, 3 suited & also running cards (no more than one gapped).

Is this a sound starting point? I haven't read any 7CS theory so any advice would be appreciated.

If this is utter nonsense feel free to wade in as well 

[Graham C]

I was thinking about Stud earlier and would be grateful for any pointers on this too.

[Colchester Kev]

speak to booder, he is the daddy.

[jbsc7769]

whilst i am loath to give any advice as, in the great scheme of things I am still a novice, of recent time I have made most of my money at seven card stud. I would say that poker basics should get you through. From my experience, there are a lot of beginners out there who do NOT appear to pay attention to the cards on display. a great example being a recent hand when i got a call on seventh street from a player who had concealed aces, I had two pair on view. Clearly hey were not looking at my cards (even though i actually hit a boat) I do play a lot of draws and am fairly agggressive for what it is worth. I don't want to tempt fate but, so far so good. Good luck to you. It is a great game.

[AdamM]

sounds about right as a basic strategy I think.
three suited cards
three straighting cards (I'd say no gap)
any rolled up pair with a high card showing
a high pair if one of the pair is showing
trips (obviously)

if you can't beat whats showing run away.

Im sure there's more to it for the expert player.

Isnt there an old joke about stud players being fatter than other poker players because they spend so long sitting still and waiting for a starting hand they have to occupy themselves with other things like eating and drinking.

[Boba Fett]

Chip Reese's chapter in Super System 1 is a great starting point.  If you're entering a pot, you want to raise on the 1st betting round and try to thin out the field, obviously the showing cards will be the main indicator of the strength of your hand.  The next round of betting should also be an exercise in thinning out the field and then you should have an indication on what type of hand/draw you have and how strong it is.  If you're flushing or on a straight draw you want to have high cards as you could also win with hitting pairs.  Try to keep an eye on what cards have been on show especially cards that could block your straight or flush.

Ive also noticed that a LOT of lower limit players online will call down to the end with nothing hoping to hit a pair so a bet at the very end can usually force a fold.

Not the best but a decent start

[The Truth]

speak to booder, he is the daddy.

He even looks like a seven card stud player 

[booder]

speak to booder, he is the daddy.

He even looks like a seven card stud player 

so thats what she meant    lol

.  Try to keep an eye on what cards have been on show

if you can't beat whats showing run away.

these are probably the two best bits of advice

[Teacake]

Thanks guys, all decent stuff 

[leighton_87]

sounds about right as a basic strategy I think.
three suited cards
three straighting cards (I'd say no gap)
any rolled up pair with a high card showing
a high pair if one of the pair is showing
trips (obviously)

if you can't beat whats showing run away.

Im sure there's more to it for the expert player.

Isnt there an old joke about stud players being fatter than other poker players because they spend so long sitting still and waiting for a starting hand they have to occupy themselves with other things like eating and drinking.

 

I just entered a seven card stud MTT tournament, using this advice.  It worked well, my first tournament and i made the cash.  few players enter these tournaments and even less actually know what they are doing.  If you could learn to play to a decent standard then i imagine these would be very profitable and also there're less bingo players and not quickly increasing blinds that turn it into a crapshoot. 

[leighton_87]

Currently chip leader heads up

[AdamM]

nice one, how'd it finish?

do I get a % ? 

[leighton_87]

Finished second for $60ish from a $10 buy in.  Not a bad return for my first seven card stud experience. Should have won it but outdrawn twice.  Can't complain though.

As for your cut.... when I win my WSOP bracelet in seven card stud I'm sure I could buy you a drink 
Might be a few years off yet though, it's two before I can ever think about entering.

Thanks again for the advice 

Andrew

[Teacake]

Nice one mate well done. 

What site did you play the tourney as its just cash I've played so far?

[leighton_87]

Thanks very much.

I played it on Ladbrokes, from what I can see they only do $1 or $10 tournaments both pot limit. which is perfect for me but others might find the buy-in a bit low.  I enjoyed the tournament and might give it another try soon.  I know pokerroom also do seven card stud torunaments with a $20 buy-in.  I'm sure theres others out there too.