7 card stud poker - Advanced strategy

Despite the fact that the most vital decision you make in seven-card stud is on third street, never fail to neglect the later streets. Success depends on correctly assessing an infinite number of situations, and playing errors can spell disaster.

The following tips will help you to spot and take advantage of lucrative opportunities, as well as to dodge the perils, often encountered on fourth street and beyond.

1. When an opponent pairs his door (exposed) card, it may spell danger.

In this scenario, it is wise to exercise caution as your opponent may now have three of a kind. Even if this is not the case, he is still likely to hold a quality hand. Unless the pot is very large, or you are equally confident about your own hand, now would be the time to fold.

2. If you have a good hand, do not be afraid to bet.

In seven-card stud, if you have what appears to be a winning hand, it would be a mistake to check. For example, suppose you make a flush on sixth street, as some of your cards are exposed your opponent will rightly be suspicious. If you check, he will check. Not only may you lose a large hand, the free card you give may cost you the pot.

3. It is sometimes correct to check and call.

Suppose your opponent receives a third suited call and you suspect he may now have a flush. This is not the time for aggressive play. You should check or call and not raise.

4. Call on fifth-street when you have a small pair and high overcard to an opponents probable pair.

It is often correct to chase, particularly when your hand has a strong chance of beating the hand you are up against. This means that you should call a fifth street bet from a probable high pair when you have a smaller pair and a high overcard.

5. Almost never fold on sixth street.

In general, if you have called the fifth street bet, it is correct to also call the bet on sixth street and look at the last card. By now the pot will have grown large and you will usually have enough ways to win to make it profitable to call. If however, your opponent makes a particularly threatening move and your hand is not strong enough, the correct action may well be to fold.

6. If you can beat a bluff, you should usually call on seventh-street.
Unless your hand is completely hopeless, folding on the river can prove a costly mistake. You have to catch a bluff only once in a while for your calls to be correct. This is because the typical seven-card stud bet is large relative to the last bet.