Playing Medium and Low Pairs in Stud Poker
When you play poker with seven cards you are likely to see some fairly good hands. Three of a kind, full houses, flushes and straights are just as likely to show up at the end of a hand as any other combination of cards. This, however, does not necessarily mean that you cannot win a hand of seven cards by playing low pairs. This especially is true in seven card stud where you get to see all the hands develop and have the ability to control the action. Staying in control is the key but making sure that you stay that way is the trick to winning when playing low pairs.
From the beginning
The trick when you play poker is to establish a pattern of sorts for your style of game. This is not a pattern that is dictated by the game but rather a pattern of your own choosing. What you are trying to do is make your fellow card players think about what you have in the hole by what they see you do when a particular outcome occurs. If you fold or bet with certain cards each time they show up, fold or bet each time they show up. Then, when they show up and you don’t fold they may be more likely to think you have something in the hole. Of course when you play poker it would be nice if you did have something in the hole but it is not necessarily a must if you are bluffing or trying to take control of the table. Generally, the idea when you play poker is to make them think you have something when you’re actually playing medium pairs.
Playing medium pairs
Generally, when you play poker the slow bet is used for hands where you have a great hand and are not playing low pairs. But the same principle can be used if the betting patterns of the other players indicate that nobody has anything in their hand that is spectacular. While you play poker bet lightly to a point where you feel that your hand sort of looks like there may be something there. This might be a low straight or possibly a flush. As the hand moves along to the fourth or fifth card increase the bet a bit more then you should based on what is showing. When you play poker the bet should be large enough to get the other players attention. With some luck a few people will fold and you can focus your next larger bet based on what the other players bet and how they bet. With some acting and maybe a final card that gives you a full house you can come away a winner by playing medium pairs.
Bet big and raise playing medium pairs
This particular strategy is an idea if you have some nice stacks in front of you. If you feel like you are in control of the table give a shot at buying the pot. Start reasonably low when you play poker and raise if the possibility presents itself. Then make a bigger bet or two later in the hand to drive a few people out. People may see you as a jerk, but you may win too playing medium pairs.
Act the part
Body language when you play poker goes a long way when you are playing low pairs. Try sitting up straight and pay attention to what’s going on when playing low pairs. The other players will notice this if your posture is like most poker players during the rest of the game.