Seven Card Stud Strategy – Third Street Trips

Any professional seven card stud player knows that the odds to receive three of a kind as first cards are low, very low, so low that it might happen only once in an eight hours session of Seven Card Stud. Though it is not likely to be every round it is crucial to know what to do with trips once you hit them. A trip is a two-edged sword, you might win the battle or lose, all depending on how your actions. If you're lucky enough to hit a strip your odds to receive a full house are 2 to 1.

There are few ways to play with strips which are meant to give the bigger pot available without taking unnecessary risks. A trip might get you half way to the pot, but remember – luck can shine to other players as well. In the long run, notice that you already have a good hand, even without improving it later on.

If you get a big trip as your first three of a kind, like triple K, then your opponents can only see your K, this is the reason you should bet slow, don't raise the pot and rush for the gold. If you would do so then you'd be announcing out loud what you've got as hole cards. If the trip is small bet fast, it is likely that in this stage of the game you're in the advantage, but, if you decided to play along, raise fast and call. The reason for this is that your small trip is vulnerable to flushes and straights. Also, if a player holds a double six and you've got three of a five he might be adding another six in the next round. Don't waste such a rare starting hand. Notice that if you do see another six in one of any other player's hand but the player with the double you can raise, since it is not likely that he will have another six.

If you have a high trip you should call all bets and move slowly forward, watch for players' cards – is there a chance for them to hit a flush or a straight and compare it to your chances of getting another pair thus making a full house. These little decisions are what make a player into a professional player.

If you're last to raise the bets and you have a low trip, and your opponents have a high card, such as an Ace or a King, don't reraise others' bets, if you do raise more than you're declaring you have a three of a kind. It is plain sense to raise the bet if you can beat a A\K, and that's what your opponents are thinking. But, if you see more A\K on the table you can raise due to the fact that now no suspicion would rise.

Also, notice that in tight/loose games you can give away your trip by acting hasty. In a tight game bet low, take your time, thus you're keeping your intentions hidden, especially if it's a high trip (remember that one out of the three is visible). In case of a tight game with a low trip raise the pot, thus you'd be protecting your cards. In case of a loose game – bet and reraise, no one would suspect you're holding a trip if you'd raise your bet in a loose game. For more information about Seven Card Stud trips' strategy read our following articles.

David Gendam, Editorial, 10th of December, 2005.