Knowing the best 7 card stud starting hands is essential if you're going to play this game in Internet poker rooms. If you're a hold‘em player, and most people seem to be today, but you've decided to try your hand at 7 card stud, then you'll need to adjust your way of thinking a bit.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Major Difference with Stud

Although there are similarities between the games, a major difference between 7 card stud and Texas hold‘em involves the fact that unlike hold‘em there are no community cards in stud. That means that you are literally playing the hand you are dealt.

 

That affects how you will play your starting hand. The distribution of so many cards to the various players makes it tough to draw a flush or a straight. The first thing to remember regarding 7 card stud starting hands is if you are dealt three of the same suit or what looks to be a possible straight, you should have a high kicker to stay in the hand.

 

Best Starting Hands

Regarding 7 card stud strategy, the best starting hands to play are trips and pairs. Here's a quick overview of the top six starting hands. With most of these hands, you are definitely in the game until the next card is dealt on Fourth Street.

 

• Three of a kind (8♦-8♥-8♠): It doesn't really matter which three because on average you're only going to see this special hand about one-quarter of one-percent of the time. (That's 0.24%) You stand to win with these cards alone, but there is the opportunity to pull four of a kind or a full house. Raise with this starting hand.

 

• High hidden pair (K♥-K♦-10♦): If you're holding anything from a pair of tens up to a pair of aces, you're in good shape. If you're also showing a high kicker, which is a ten through an ace, that's additional gas. You're in the game big time. Raise with this opening hand.

 

• High split pair (Q♠-9♦-Q♥): In terms of power, this is similar to the high hidden pair but this time part of your strength is exposed and that weakens your position a tad. However, this is still a good hand with which to raise.

 

• Low hidden pair, high kicker (7♦-7♥-A♥): This is not a strong pair but the exposed high kicker gives you some wagering power. Make a strong opening bet and then a strong raise before another card is dealt. Doing so will have the other players thinking that you're holding a split high pair.

 

• Low split pair, high kicker (8♥-K♥-8♠): There's nothing that you can use on top to sway the other players and the low pair is simply weak. Play this hand minimally; that is as long as you don't have to make a major commitment in betting. Place the bring-in bet but don't raise. If someone else raises, only see it if it's a small amount. In order to stay in the hand, you need to pick something up on Fourth Street.

 

• Low pair, low kicker (8♦-5♥-8♠): Of all the paired hands, this is by far the weakest. It's okay to go with the bring-in bet, but fold to any raise. It's not worth sticking around.

 

Essentials to Remember

In playing any stud round, you've got to be aware of and stay focused on the potential of other players' hands. Never wager in a vacuum. Additionally, with any 7 card stud strategy, you're going to have to show some patience. Don't play every hand. The six hands we've considered are the best of the best when it comes to 7 card stud starting hands.

 

 

Winning Facts

There is one more thing to consider when it comes to winning at stud in Internet poker rooms. At the end of a hand, those holding either two or one pair win a majority of the time in this game. That means usually the player with the highest pair takes the pot. So if your starting seven card stud hand has a high pair, strategy dictates that you stay in the game while watching out for those who have a potentially higher pair or developing flush or straight.  Using these starting hand tips will go a long way to making you a success at stud.