Seven Card Stud Starting Hands
The best starting hands in stud are hands that are going to help you make a straight or better. In Stud even trips are probably not going to win you the game. Like Hold’em you may have to wait for a good starting hand.
So what does make the best starting Hand? Three of a kind starting with (A-A) A and on down. You can look to make a full house or four of a kind.
Next there are the big pairs (AA-TT). Value a hidden pair with a big kicker the most. A hidden pair makes your hand harder to read.
Big suited connectors such as AKQs down to QJTs can help with flushes and straights (or hopefully a straight flush!)
Big suited semi connectors such as AKJs or KQTs can also help you draw for a nut flush or high straight.
Medium Pairs with a high kicker are probably the minimum you would look for in a hand medium trips or full house will be vulnerable as the second best hand.
With these starts as a guide look for hands where the value is hidden as if your hand is perceived a weak you are in a great betting position.
Before you start doing cartwheels because your starting hand is fantastic on last thing to consider is what cards everyone else has. There is no point chasing a hearts flush if you notice that every other person playing hearts in their up cards. If the only cards you need to make your hand stronger are in someone else’s pile then you may need to rethink your hand.