Small and Medium Pairs in 7-Card Stud Poker

7 Card Stud, Hand Selection
October 4 2008

When we say small/medium pairs, we’re referring to any one pair from a pair of 2s to a pair of 9s. A couple of deuces and a couple of 9s may seem quite different in a game like Holdem or 5-Card Stud, but in 7-Card Stud they both fit into a single category—weak. Any player with a face card or an ace showing could already have you beat if they have another card of the same value in their down cards. Anyone holding more than one face card or ace is in a good position to easily beat you by catching only one card.

One thing most people don’t think about when they have a pair in 7-Card Stud is to also look hard at their kicker. If you have a strong kicker it gives you a much stronger draw, because if you pair the kicker you have a very strong two pair. Same goes if you have flush or straight draws when using your kicker. These small and medium pairs will hardly ever win without some help and the more chances you have of improving your hand, the more chances you’ll have of winning the pot.

Another common mistake players with small or medium pairs make is thinking they are worth calling a raise, or even making a raise themselves. To avoid this mistake you should always think of small and medium pairs as drawing hands. If you wouldn’t call a raise with a drawing hand, then you shouldn’t call it with your small or medium pair.

• More poker tips for: 7 Card Stud, Hand Selection
• Complete poker tips archive