Seven Card Stud High/Low Hand Selection
Seven card stud high/low is a fun and exciting seven card stud version that can be very profitable if you learn how to scoop the entire pot. Because seven card stud high/low is a split pot game, the pot is typically split between the high hand and the low hand, although one player can take the entire pot by having both the best hand around the table on the low end and the high end. That said, there’s lot of money to be made at the seven card stud high/low table if you know how to select and play your seven card stud high/low hand.
There are different considerations that must be made when selecting your seven card stud high/low hand to start the game with. Among these important choices, you should factor in the number of opponents that will be sitting around your seven card stud high/low table. The reason – some hands of seven card stud high/low play very, very well when there are many players. On the flip side, there are times when only a few opponents make up the optimal playing situation. As a successful seven card stud high/low player, your job is to determine which starting hands are best suited for the number of players that you are up against.
Three of a kind is the ultimate combination of cards to have going into third street in seven card high/low. If you have three aces, you’re covered on the low hand, although its rare you’ll be dealt three aces right off the bat – but if you chance onto these powerful three cards, take your time and play slowly, letting the pot build bit by bit. Play aggressively with trips other than aces to grow the pot fast.
A great combination to have in seven card stud high/low is three low cards to a straight or straight flush, or three low cards to a flush. The power of these types of hands in seven card stud high/low is that you have a great chance of making both a strong low and a strong high hand, which means that you can scoop the entire pot and not give half of your winnings to someone else. Aggressive play is required on fifth street to make a straight, straight flush, or flush its most profitable.
In seven card stud high/low, if you are dealt a low pair with an ace, or if you are dealt an ace with three low cards – you have a great (if improvable) hand. You can easily ride through with this hand until fifth street. On fifth street, if you haven’t seen your hand improve to a solid winning hand, the time may be good to fold.
When you come across a low off card with a pair of aces in seven card stud high/low, your goal is to get rid of as many players as you can. These types of hands play better in heads up situations or in situations that are short handed. By fifth street with this hand, if you have failed to have a good draw, let the hand go and wait for the next one!
