Where can I get the hand rankings?

[PhiberOptik]

For 7stud poker?

[Al Mirpuri]

The hand rankings for 7stud are the same as in any other standard poker game (Hold'em, Omaha, etc)unless the players at the table have agreed to the addition of freak hands.

If what you want is a table of odds and various statistics about 7stud the best place is probably Konstantin Othmer's book, Seven Card Stud (?), the first edition of which was called The Elements Of Seven Card Stud. However, you want the newer edition as the old edition though useful was recognisably flawed.

[Andy B]

If you want a hand ranking list like Sklansky's hand rankings for hold'em, one doesn't exist for stud. Stud hands can change dramatically in value depending on the cards that are out, position, the action, etc. Hold'em hands don't change that much in value until the flop comes down.

For example, a pair of Jacks is a good starting hand in stud. It is considerably weaker if both of the other Jacks have shown. It is completely unplayable if both of the other Jacks have shown and there are multiple opponents. Dead Jacks do OK against a single opponent with a weaker hand.

Now say that you have those same two Jacks, completely live this time, but there are strong players remaining to act who have a King and and Ace in the door. How much do you like your hand now? I still raise and hope for the best, but a strong opponent just might re-raise without having what he represents, and you might get blown off the best hand. Or you might pay off the whole way with the worst hand.