7 card stud is as much a game of chance, as it is a game of patience. Many experts recommend to be patient when playing 7 card stud, to wait for a strong starting hand that ensures victory. Being selective with the hand you play can save you a lot of money, but rushing things almost always leads to losses.
Being selective with your starting hands is usually a good strategy when playing low bet tables, where the ante is not such a big amount. There are several combinations of three cards that you can start a game with. Let’s see which ones are those that can ensure you the winning of the pot.
Three consecutive high cards
A questionable starting hand with a fair chance of winning, though. It is usually not recommended to bet on draw hands, but when the dealer gives you three high cards – tens through aces, for example – you might just give it a chance. Try to complete your hand until the fourth street for the biggest chances to win, otherwise it’s usually more wise to fold.
Three high
cards of matching suit
If the dealer tempts you with three high cards of matching suit, there are good chances for other two such cards to follow. Usually it’s the wisest to only consider eights or higher, but face cards or aces are the best. As above, if you don’t get a matching card until the fourth street, it’s better to abandon your hand and sit out the round.
Split pair of Jacks or better
Split pairs are called those pairs where one of the cards is facing up, the other one is concealed. This is a strong hand, allowing you to play aggressively, but if other players call or raise your bets you may consider letting it go.
Wired pair of tens or better
Wired pairs are the ones where both cards are concealed. This way no other player can see your pair, giving you the advantage of surprise. But remember – you want your pair to have a high value. Avoid betting on every wired pair, as other players might have stronger pairs concealed on the table.
Three of a kind
This is the best of the starting hands a game of 7 card stud can bring you. As usual, the higher your cards’ ranks, the better. Don’t get overexcited, though, as it can scare away other players from betting – take it slow, try to ‘bring them along’ to maximize your winnings.