Seven-card Stud Poker: Stakes and Odds

'Down the River' is an alternate name for Seven-card stud Poker.

This Poker variation often builds big pots.

It is usually dealt as follows: two cards in the hole and one open, followed by the first round of betting. To each stayer, three more open cards and a final hole card are available, one at a time, and each is followed by a round of betting.

A complete hand consists of three hole cards and four open cards. That added hole card makes an enormous difference.

An open bobtail in an opponent's hand may steer your thoughts away from a concealed full house; the player who shows Q J 10 Nine may hold Q Q J in the hole.

The stakes at Seven-card Stud in this group are one chip ante by each player; two chip limit until a pair shows the sixth card is dealt; then the limit is increased to four chips.

Now, you show an A and have two two in the hole. Bet or check? Bet. Usually, it is sound on the first time to stay with any closed pair. Here, your A is a strong side card. Two pairs, A's-up, will show a profit over the long pull.

You deal. Player C's open K beats the board and he bets. A folds a J. You show a five and have Q five in the hole. Raise, call, or fold? Fold. Do not stay with a split pair lower than sixes, primarily because of the lack of concealment.

D deals. A shows the only A and he bets. You show a J; you have a 10 nine in different suits in the hole. None of the cards you need for your straight shows. Do you raise, call, or fold? Call. Unless too many of the cards you need show, it is a fair risk to stay with a J 10 nine, or a Q J 10.

G deals. Your open K beats the board; you have a Q J in different suits in the hole. None of the cards you need for your straight shows. Raise, call, or fold?

Here, it's close, but the odds against your catching the straight are a little too long, so fold. Observe that if you catch an A, you will be open at only one end.

B Deals. He shows an A and he bets. F shows a J and he calls. C, G, and D fold low cards. You show the Heart Q and have the Heart eight six in the hole. Only one Heart shows elsewhere. Raise, call, or fold?

Fold. Do not stay with a three-flush which lacks a J 10, or two higher cards, or an A in the hole. The odds against your catching the flush are too long, and you want high cards to pair as an alternative.