Tricks to Winning at 5 Card Stud Poker 2012-09-17T17:04:02+00:00 2018-09-07T18:13:15+00:00 Carolyn J Dawson https://www.poker-online.com/author/carolyn

Everything Players Need to Know about Winning at Five Card Stud Poker

Posted on  Sep 17, 2012 | Updated on  Sep 7, 2018 by Carolyn J Dawson

Five Card Stud Poker, though not one of the most popular variants of Poker Online, has a large number of fans because it is easy to understand and very lucrative. This is the only variant of poker that allows players to see all their opponents’ cards, but one.

Five Card Stud players, therefore, need to watch their opponents’ cards and keep track of the all the live cards in the game if they want to win the pot. The biggest mistake a 5 Card Stud Poker player can make is to chase a dead card.

General Five Card Stud Strategy

Pairs and high-value cards are of great importance in Five Card Stud. Unless players have a very good starting hand, getting a straight or a flush is virtually impossible. Since most of the cards are face-up on the board, the game is more transparent than other poker variants out there, requiring keen observation and tracking skills on the part of the player. Choosing a good starting hand is of great importance. The best starting hands usually have a pair and at least one card better than the face-up cards on the table.

Learn how to play Five Card Stud Poker using the video below

This video has been provided by VideoJug

Choosing the Best Starting Hands

Here is a list of excellent starting hands that can be played in case of Five Card Stud Poker:

  • Pairs – The best starting hands always have a pair; however, players should avoid slow playing with a pair. Instead, they should move the game forward as quickly as possible in order to reach the heads up stage and grab the pot. If things get unfavourable in the later stages of the game, players should not hesitate to fold.
  • Two cards higher in value than the cards on board – Players should analyse their opponents’ face-up cards in relation to their own. For instance, if players have two cards in their starting hand that are higher in value than their opponents’ face-up cards, the hand is definitely playable.
  • Hole card is higher in value than the cards on board – If the value of players’ hole card is higher than their opponents’ face-up cards, players definitely have a chance of beating their opponents.
  • Hole card and one face-up card are higher in value than the cards on board – This is also a great playable hand that might help players’ beat their opponents.

Winning Strategy Tips

Needless to say, Five Card Stud is a game of skill and strategy, and players can enhance their chances of winning if they implement the correct strategies at the correct time.

  • As previously mentioned, making a flush or a straight is almost impossible in Five Card Stud, unless players have a highly favourable starting hand.
  • If the first three cards dealt to players do not contain a pair or better, players had better fold.
  • Players should carefully keep track of the cards in their hand, the cards on the table, and cards that have not yet entered the game.
  • Studying opponent behaviour is of great importance because it can reveal valuable information that can be used against opponents and to the players’ advantage.
  • An ace in the hole is hardly a life save, so avoid pinning all your hopes on it.
  • Low-value hole cards are not worth playing.
  • Be as unpredictable as possible as this confuses opponents and makes it very difficult for them to “read you.”
  • Allow your opponents to catch you bluffing once in a while as this will put them off guard.
  • Do not hesitate to fold if the cards are not in your favour.

Importance of Position

In Five Card Stud, player position is not fixed. The player with the lowest card is the first person to place a bet, but at every subsequent betting round, it is the player with the highest card who places the first bet.

The last players to act naturally have an advantage over their opponents because they have seen all the other players make a move and have a better idea about the gaming situation. Players who are last in position must analyse all the face-up cards on the card and absorb as much information as possible about their opponents’ betting habits and gaming style. They must then use this information to their benefit.

Further Articles

  1. Seven Steps to Play 5 Card Stud Poker
  2. Five Card Stud Poker Not To Do
  3. Raise Or Fold in Five Card Stud Poker
  4. 5 Card Stud Poker Hand To Begin With

About the Author

Carolyn J Dawson is a professional freelance poker writer. She specialises writing content about poker/ bingo / blackjack/ etc. as well as breaking poker news. Carolyn has been freelancing for us over a number of years and writes high quality articles. Visit her google + page here