Playing 5 Card Stud Poker
Most poker players that play 5 card stud will readily admit that the game is likely the purest for of card poker. You receive two cards down and three up. The poker player with the best hand wins in 5 card stud. The permutations possible with 5 card stud are the same but the likelihood of getting the better hands are quite a bit less than some other poker games that use more cards. If you’ve seen a western movie where the characters are playing cards, they will likely be playing either 5 card draw or 5 card stud. Both are essentially the same except when you play stud you are letting the other 5 card stud players see three of your cards.
Two pair
When you play 5 card stud, two pair is a decent hand to have. Generally in 5 card stud, this is because it is a bit better than most of the hands one will see when you play a five card poker game and it is a hand that can be hidden well from the other poker players. In this sense when you play stud; you could have four cards dealt with two cards the same face down and two cards the same face up. You could also have one each face down and one each face up. The other 5 card stud players will have a difficult time knowing what you have face down and thus less poker betting power.
One pair showing
Poker is really all about the odds and the psychology of how another player will respond to: the cards showing, your reactions and the betting that is going on. When you play stud, if you have a pair showing that will start the other poker players thinking about whether you have a third card face down. They likely understand that you don’t have the third card down but the possibility does exist. Following up the second card facing up with a better bet may be all that is needed to get the other 5 card stud players convinced that you have a third like card faced down. This works especially well if you have been winning a bit that poker night.
Working the straight or flush
Just seeing the same suited or sequenced cards starting to show up is enough to put fear into another poker player’s heart. They are just not quite sure one way or the other if a flush or straight is going to occur. Unfortunately, in 5 card stud the same goes for you as well. There are two poker strategies to follow in this situation. When the third suited card or sequenced card shows up, take a look at the other 5 card stud player’s cards and make a decision. Do you want to commit to a bluff indicating you have a like set of cards face down or not? When you play stud, once you commit then bet accordingly.
Act the bet
5 card stud means having a little or a lot of actor in your blood. If you have it, use it. With a little effort you can easily eliminate or enforce doubt in the other poker players. Since there are only five cards in each hand have a sixth card in the form of some acting ability never hurts.