Seven Card Stud Strategy - Fifth Street Pairs

If you reached Fifth Street with a pair and nothing more then it's time to analyze your opponents' behavior. take into consideration their third street bets, which can hint you what they hold as hole-cards. Remember that a pair isn't a losing hand at fifth street, but you need to make quick and intensive check of the table's status – dead cards, initial bets, re-raise bets and so on.

Most players who reach fifth street with a pair would always fold, but this isn't always the correct move to make. It's true that a pair isn’t much but sometimes it's more than what others may hold under their poker face, and it would be a shame to draw now if you're not totally sure that you're going to lose, especially now, when the pot isn't small.

If you have a small pair it is unwise for you to continue playing and risking your money, it is most likely that your opponents had already paired their hole cards, but remember: you can bluff your way to the pot if there are only one or two players playing against you at fifth street, but only if they don't play aggressively. If you decide to bluff then play fast and make your opponents draw quickly. The same goes for a high pair.

Article made by - Mike Dent
Editorial Staff, 21/12/05