Once a seven-card stud player starts playing against opponents with a basic level of understand for the game of stud poker, it opens doors for them to make creative plays. By seeing through what an opponent is trying to represent, the 7 card stud player allows himself to think at a higher level than their opponents. This can be very profitable if properly executed and thought through thoroughly.
A creative play in seven-card stud might be possible is in the following type of scenario:
An opponent starts by catching a strong card on fourth street with the hero catching a weak one. The opponent bets fourth street and the hero calls. Fifth street comes and brings an opponent another strong looking card and the player another weak looking one. The opponent checks and action is on the hero. Now if the hero bets fifth street here, he should bet and expect to take the pot down a good portion of the time. This works because a seven card stud opponent has decided to stop semi bluffing the hand and check to the hero. With 2 weak looking cards falling to the hero on fourth and fifth street, it means that for the hero in this hand of stud poker to bet – he must be holding a strong hand. Of course, the hero knows this, uses this fact to his advantage, and bets into the villain with nothing.
Another example of making a creative play could be the following:
An opponent is dealt 3 cards with an ace or king facing upwards. The hero starts with a jack facing upwards in his hand. On fourth street, the opponent is dealt a queen and then on fifth street he catches a 10. The hero, however, catches a 6 on fourth street and a 5 on fifth street. This is when this sort of play can be put in to practice and in a nutshell, if a good opponent checks what seems to be a strong hand when action is on him on fifth street, the hero can usually steal the pot.
Players that are considered absolute poker cheats can create this play in some situations without needing to have a great hand in the hole. For instance, if a seven-card stud opponent has raised in late position with no other callers. The hero is holding a small pair or two moderately strong cards in the hole. This could be a situation where the hero can go ahead and call and then make their creative play. The only spot where a player should not make this play is if their opponent is holding something that is deemed extremely threatening. At that point, a good 7 card stud player should just be looking to give up the hand to the villain.
By sensing an opponent weakness or hesitance to bluff, a good seven-card stud player can take advantage of this and pray on his insecurity about his hand. Bluffing is a great way to maximize profits in seven-card stud. It is important to find situations where a bluff is profitable though.