7 card stud, another poker option
Everyone is ga-ga about Texas Hold’em; the game is the “It” game. However, there are many other poker games in addition to Hold’em. Before the Hold’em boom, many new players would start with 7 card stud. This game is still available at many card rooms, including the
Seminole Hard Rock in Tampa.
Seven card stud is a great way to learn poker, if you have never played. If you are a Texas Hold’em convert; you will need to re-think some strategy. First, there is no dealer button. The dealer begins dealing cards to his left and everyone receives two down cards and one card face up. The person with the lowest card showing, with 2 of clubs being the very lowest, is required to post the minimum bet. Then, beginning to the left of the player who led out, everyone else can fold, call the bet or raise.
Once action is complete, the dealer deals each player remaining in the hand another card face up. Another round of betting begins, this time starting with the person with the highest hand showing. The dealer will repeat this process two more times, including dealing each player an individual up card and a betting round. Finally, the dealer will deal each remaining down card and there will be a final betting round.
This leaves 4 cards showing on the table for each player with 3 cards concealed. Many traditional Hold’em players do not like this game, because they feel there is too much information available on the board for other players. This is what I like about the game. In many cases, I feel Hold’em has become a game of “chicken.” Players keep firing out at each other; both often times with nothing, waiting for someone to flinch.
Locally, at the Hard Rock in Tampa they spread 1-5 limit 7-card stud. There is a separate bad-beat jackpot, which requires a player to have at least A’s full of K’s and be beaten by something better. The stud jackpot is currently over $20,000.
If you are looking for a change, or just beginning to play poker consider playing 7-card stud. See you at the stud tables…..