Vincent’s Poker Blog

Chances are when playing in a tournament you won’t be dealt many or any premium hands especially when you need them. The chance of being dealt a AA is 220:1, the same for any pocket pair, so for the top five or six starting hands you are looking at odds of 29:1 which are not exactly favorable.

Firstly watch your opponents. Learn to look for those players who will fold at the first sign you might be holding a better hand. If these players call your bluff you may have to give up the ghost.

Limit your bluffs to when there is not much other action. Use your position on the button or small blind to steal the blinds. If it is check/folded round to you this is an opportunity not to miss.

Use your stack to bluff with. Push around smaller stacks by making big raises. Don’t go in with a bluff too often as it will be a little like the boy who cried wolf. At the table your reputation is everything and you want a reputation for playing solid hands to be able to get away with bluffing.

Don’t always make a full bluff. When you bluff sometimes it is wise to have at least a mediocre hand to back you up. Especially if it can turn into a monster. Remember from time to time those two high cards will be enough to take the pot.

The beauty of Seven Card Stud is that the upcard rather than being a hindrance to you can actually make you money if you play this advantage correctly.

If your up cards look weak but you actually have the nut flush then you play to milk the most out of your opponent whilst they are thinking you are the Muppet You can also uses strong upcards to hide what may be a terrible hand. An aggressive raise whilst showing an Ace could make someone fold their trips, not realising you only have a 5 and a 7 in the hole all off suit. Sneaky!

What other players are showing can also be used to your advantage. As you know, there are 13 cards to each suit. You need 5 cards of one suit to make a flush. So, if you’ve got a flush draw, be sure to look at what your opponents are showing. If you’re holding 3 hearts and there’s a total of 6 other hearts on the table, there’s only 4 left in the deck. Do this same thing if you’re trying to complete a straight; there’s only four of each card in the deck that could help you make your straight. You don’t want to bet your money on a slim chance at drawing the only Jack left that may or may not be in the deck.

Seven Card Stud players who take note of all the upcards in play and folded have an advantage; so don’t bury your face in your own cards.