Read Stud Poker Rules

How to Play it?

Here is where you have to shift for yourself. If you happen to have an "immortal" at this point, you want to build the pot up as high as possible, and whether this is best accomplished by means of checking, making a small bet, or making a large bet depends upon too many considerations to be discussed in a book for poker. Conversely, if your opponent has a possible "immortal" against you, it is up to you to figure out whether or not he has this hand.

Mistake One

Trying to play a premium pair against a large field of opponents. Pairs of tens, jacks, queens, kings and aces on the first three cards should ideally be played against a small number of opponents, preferably head-up. For some reason, average Australia poker players try to hide in the forest with these hands, letting as many players in the pot as possible and, consequently, often losing to straights and flushes.

Mistake Two

Playing come hands too aggressively. When you’re trying for a straight or flush, you want to get the largest odds possible for your money. That means keeping players in the pot.

Mistake Three

Playing small pairs without taking the side card into consideration. Anytime you begin with a pair less than tens, you’re in a vulnerable position. Usually you need your third card to be bigger than the up cards of other active players.

Mistake Four

Playing small three-flushes and three straights. These starting hands are almost always unplayable.

Mistake Five

Not watching for key cards in other hands. Anytime you play a straight or a flush, you should pay particular attention to see how many useful cards are present in the hands of your opponents. Pass when you see a lot of cards you need. Obviously the same sort of reasoning applies to situations where you begin with, say, a pair of fours. If you see another four out, you should almost never play.

Mistake Six

Continuing with an early bluff once it seems hopeless. It’s okay, in fact desirable, to try to steal pots early in seven-stud, particularly if you think you can pick up an ante. But be ready to turn loose of the hand if things don’t work out.

Mistake Seven

Treating concealed pairs and split pairs alike. The unskilled seven-stud player doesn’t recognize that two eights in the hole with a seven showing is much, much more potent than an eight up with an eight and a seven in the hole. In the latter case, you have the hand your opponent will expect. In the first case, you have a powerful buried pair, and if you catch another eight, players will have no way to suspect you’ve made trips.

Mistake Eight

Making routine lay-downs on Seventh Street. Although, as a rule, weak seven-stud players tend to play too many hands, they also fold too often after seven cards. By then the pot is frequently affording 15 to 1 or greater money odds, and a call is almost mandatory unless your hand is totally hopeless.

Common Rules

1. When you begin with a pair of tens through a pair of aces, try to eliminate players quickly.
2. With a drawing hand (three to a straight or flush) try to keep as many players in the pot as possible.
3. Generally, when you begin with three-of-a-kind, don’t raise until the fifth card.
4. Seldom begin with a small pair unless your side card is larger than your opponents’ up cards.
5. Play concealed pairs more liberally than split pairs.
6. Don’t play small three-flushes or three-straights.
7. Keep track of the cards in other players’ hands.
8. After seven cards, call unless it seems hopeless.
9. Don’t pay for a fifth card unless you’re prepared to take a seventh card.
10. If three or more key cards are out, don’t play for a straight or flush.
11. If you get called trying to make an early steal, throw your hand away on the next bet. Give it up.