Seven Card Stud Guide and Brief Strategy: Author :sweetieJB

GUIDE

Most poker players are intimidated by seven-card stud. This game can be very formidable, mostly because a nut starting hand can easily and spasmodically be vanquished by a better hand. Seven-card stud is a game requiring much skill, concentration, patience and thought. Seven-card stud, as with other poker games, builds on basic skills.
Seven-card stud, as its name implies, is played with seven cards. To start, every player is required to post an ante (in most games). Then every player is dealt three cards, the first two dealt face down, the third face up. These three cards are referred to as first, second and third street, with the face up card called the door card. The player with the lowest door card (starting with a deuce) is required to 'bring-in' the bet, or start the game by betting the smallest bet. If two or more players share the lowest door card the bring-in is determined by the cards' suit, in alphabetical order (clubs, diamonds, hearts, and spades).
The game play then moves clockwise, with the player to the left of the bring-in given the options to fold, call or raise the bring-in to a full bet. If the player decides to raise the bring - in, the player to his left can fold, call or raise to double the bet on the board. It is always important to look at your opponent's door card before betting or calling, to determine if your hand is considered dead. For instance, if you are dealt three suited cards, referred to a three suit, and cards of the same suit are scattered around the board, it is advisable to fold your hand. It is harder to make a flush when your suited cards are taken.
After the third street bets have been called, another card, called fourth street, is dealt face up. First to act is determined by who has the highest fourth street card. Again as with the door card, if two or more players share the same card, the higher card is determined by the cards’ suit alphabetically. The first to act the fourth street can raise to a double bet if there is a pair shown in that players’ upright cards. For example, in a $2-$4 game, if the first to act holds an upright pair, he can fold, bet $2, or double to $4. All other raises after the first to act bets can only be in $2 increments, regardless if you hold an upright pair. There is not as much skill required when betting/calling the fourth street as with the third street, but again, consider your opponent's door and fourth street cards. If you hold two Queens, and the other two Queens are held in your opponent's hands, all the Queens are used, and a hope of making a three of a kind, Queens, is a moot point.
Next, the fifth street is dealt, again face up. Betting/calling here is a decision best made with much consideration. The fifth street represents the final opportunity to lucratively fold a hand. If your hand is worth nothing or weak, calling or raising on the fifth street can cause you to lose money in possibly three double-sized bets. Fifth street is where double-sized bets become required. For example, in a $2-$4 game, a move on third street to could be to call the bring-in, bet $2 or raise to $4. Fourth street you can check, bet $2 or raise to double if you have an upright pair. Fifth street requires you to bet at least $4, and each raise is in $4 increments. This is required EXCEPT when any player makes a pair with their face up cards, or open cards, on the fourth street.
The last card dealt face up is called sixth street, and if you have made it this far with checks/calls/raises, it is usually beneficial to stay in until the end. If you have an absolutely garbage hand, and there is now no way to make anything with it, obviously fold. Also, if an opponent shows a good hand with their open cards, for example a flush, and bets/raises a large amount, folding is an intelligent decision. Lastly, the seventh street or river is dealt face down. This is your last chance to make a strong hand stronger. Again, if you've made it this far, it is usually beneficial to stay in until the showdown.

BRIEF STRATEGY

There are tips to consider when playing seven-card stud, the first being to ALWAYS play a live hand. But always be aware of your opponent’s open cards, because a live hand can easily become a dead hand when the cards you are waiting for are taken. As in any game of poker, small and medium pairs are not as good as large pairs. In seven-card stud, small and medium pairs can easily become worse. Because everyone is dealt seven cards, a pair of threes made into a three of a kind can easily be beat by a larger three of a kind.
Cards referred to as scare cards, or cards to improve or help you to later improve your hand, are cards to look for. Look for them in your own hand, but beware them in an opponent’s hand. Catching a high card in your hand will add value to your hand, and scare your opponents with weaker hands away. Another tip is to play large hands against a few opponents, but playing hands where a straight or flush can be made, drawing hands, fare better with many opponents. ALWAYS be aware when an opponent pairs his door card. This could mean your opponent already has three of a kind, or may make one before the showdown. Lastly, if you can afford to call a bluff, call on the seventh street or river even if you have a hand you think won't win. Many people bluff when their open hand shows a pair or three suited cards.

There are odds associated with seven-card stud, as in all poker. Getting the following starting hands are considered "lucky;" Three of a kind - 424:1, Pair of Aces - 76:1, Pair - 5:1, Three suited cards - 18:1. Have fun learning how-to, or competing in this game!
Finally, having a larger bankroll while playing seven card stud is a good idea. Before playing, consider your bankroll because calling down while trying to make a hand is more expensive with an extra round of betting. You should count on needing a larger bankroll because missed draws will tend to cost you more, and you will have to play a couple of rounds betting before you have a full hand. You also may need to see more rounds of betting before you can be confident whether your hand is liable to hold up or not.