[7stud]

Trying to learn what is not in the books

The first lesson is that Hold Em is not Stud. It's actually kind of an interesting question why AK suited is so good in holdem, and it's not even playable in seven stud. Afterall, you get to see seven cards in both games, and in both games you start off with two hidden cards. So, in seven stud why wouldn't you want to start with As Ks/ x? I guess the answer is that you get to see 3 cards initially, and three card hands can have more potential strength than 2 card hands. Since, your expert opponents will be starting with stronger hands than As Ks/ x, then so must you. As Ray Zee said(and he is the expert) AK suited is nothing in a stud game. In 7 card stud, to consider starting a hand when you are not in a steal position, you basically need trips, 3 to a flush, 3 to a high straight, a high pair, or a smaller pair with a good kicker. Then position, the betting, and the cards that are out determine if you will actually play the hand.