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Primer on Drawing in Seven Card Stud

November 17, 2009

There are two starting hands in seven card stud that will put you in a situation where you will have to draw to make a complete hand: Three cards to a flush or three high cards to a straight. You’re a smart Stud Poker player so we know that you only would consider playing three low cards to a straight when the situation was right! Deciding whether or not to play these hands and when to continue on are both important and tricky skills to learn. In this article we will cover some bullet points on drawing situations that should help improve your game:

• Don’t get tunnel vision when you are first learning the game. Whether or not you play three to a flush or three to a straight depends greatly on the other up cards in play. If more than two of the cards you need are already on the board you are at a severe disadvantage in terms of completing your hand. Only enter the pot when your drawing hands are live and you are in a good position to win. A live hand is one where none of the cards you need are currently visible in play.
• The first card you get when drawing is critical. If you get the card you need, you should continue on in the hand and keep an increasingly strong eye on your opponents possible holdings. If your card doesn’t come then you have a decision to make. If you picked up a secondary card that say gives you a pair or expands your drawing possibilities, then perhaps you can continue on. If however you completely miss, or to make matter worse, some of the cards you need are now in play, then you definitely should bow out of the hand.
• Keep an eye on the size of the pot and your opponents up cards. Even in situations where your draw is panning out you need to be conscience of what the odds are that you will complete the hand. Just because your cards are coming doesn’t mean the pot odds are correct to continue. Similarly you have to be careful with straights in seven card stud. They are eaten alive by full houses and flushes. Its okay to throw away a hand like this when you feel a strong opponent has you beat.