Playing stud

Just thought I'd make a post about playing stud as it's a game with a very different strategy than holdem. First thing is that starting hand selection is quite different and that a pair in the hole is not necessarily great. I'd much rather have suited connectors such as 9-10-J. The second thing is that it is critical to watch the board and count cards. I don't know how many times I've seen somebody ignore the fact that their cards have already been dealt. An example is a person has 5-6-8-9 on the board and 3 of the 7s have already been dealt. Ditto with flush possibilities. Starting with a 3 flush is always good, but if many of that suit are on the board your odds have dropped considerably. The last point is aggression - not as useful here as it is in holdem as everybody is playing for a different best hand and there are no shared cards. Probably the worst thing that can happen is you have a high pair on the board and are first to act. The other folks see your hand and if they call your bets they probably have you beat. Patience is the key...

Dave, why don't you do a proper article on Stud?

I think hes giving just enough free info so he can dominate the stud section tongiht Rob !

Come on Dave, do a proper article !

Never claimed to be an expert. Just wanted to put some hard-earned pointers up in advance of the HORSE game tonight. The transition from holdem to stud is very tough on most folks as the game is totally different...

Especially if its high/low. I'm a little confused on that. How do you win the low? I was playing 7 card stud the other day and I was playing for the low and I got the low hand but the winner took it all. Then, the next hand, I went for the low again and I won the low. I don't get it. Cna you not have a pair even though it is the lowest hand? Can someone fill me in?

Your low generally has to be 8 or better in that the highest card in the low hand is an 8 or less. Worst low hand possible is 8-7-6-5-4, best is 5-4-3-2-1...