Poker Game Review - 5 Card Stud

General Strategy:

Five Card Stud is mostly a game of high cards and pairs. Don't play for straights and flushes unless you have three cards to a straight flush on third street, or it looks like you might luck into a straight or flush on fourth. With only one down card, it is easier than most games to put your opponents on hands. Pay close attention to how they each play. Usually don't start without either a pair or at least one live card that beats the board.

Usually fold if you do not have at least a pair in the first three cards.

Always fold when you are beaten on the board and do not have a good draw to the best hand.

Playable Starting Hands:

• Any Pair - Fast play low pairs to try to get heads up. Consider folding if you don't get trips or a live upcard on third street. Bet/Call high pairs.
• Both cards higher than the board ie: You hold 9 8 and there is no opponent upcard that is higher than 7.
• High hole card that beats the board with any upcard ie: You have Q down/ 6 up and there is no opponent upcard that is higher than Jack.
• High upcard that beats the board with high card in the hole An Ace up is a good hand that you can sometimes take past third street unpaired, if you have a good kicker. The high card in the hole does not have to beat the board.

Strategy Tips:

Usually Fold if you don't have a pair or better in the first three cards.
Remember the folded cards so that you know which cards are "live".
Play only live cards from the start and at least semi-live cards from the middle to the end.
Study your opponents. When he or she plays a low upcard, it is likely that the card is paired or just a loose starting hand of some sort. Does the player bluff? Can he or she be bluffed, etc. Unless you are playing a strong draw hand, usually fold if your complete hand is beaten on the board by an opponent's upcards.
Don't play for straights and flushes, except for three cards to a straight flush. Usually don't play low hole cards. Don't fall in love with your Ace in the hole. If that's all you have, against apparent strong hands, usually fold early.
Beware of the paired door card. This often means trips, especially if it is a low pair.
Get caught bluffing once in a while. It is a way to vary your play and not be too predictable. You win pots that you don't deserve when your bluff works. You lose a few chips when it doesn't work but it will get you calls from weaker hands down the line when you are strong and need the action.
Look for reasons to fold early. When someone else gets the card you wanted or you suspect that you are unprofitably chasing a better hand - fold it up. Trust your instincts and you will usually be right.
Make'em pay to try to draw out on you when you have a good hand.