Sometimes poker can be a mine field of mistakes. There are so many things a player can do to really damage their own chances of winning money on a consistent basis. Below we have listed some of the most frequent mistakes made by 7-Card Stud players across the spectrum.
- A lot of players put way to many starting hands into play. Good poker players will play only 30% to 40% of their starting hands. In short, they will be very selective, and play only hands that have a chance at the pot. Do not play to many hands.
- If a card you need is one of your opponent's upcards, than it cannot help you. Pay attention to which cards are no longer in play, and adjust your strategy accordingly.
- Think before folding your modest hand. If after the initial deal you are holding a pair of 9s, and your upcard is a Queen, feel free to call a bet and stay in the hand. Your opponents don't know what cards are in your hand, all they see is the Queen. For all they know you have another Queen in your hand. Your upcard can represent strength that goes beyond your mediocre cards. Use that power.
- To many players try to slow play when they have a premium hand. All this does is allow other players to hang around in the pot till the end. Anything can happen on that last card, and a little misplaced luck can turn what was a very promising hand into a bad beat. If you have a premium hand, raise and knock as many players out of the hand as you can.
- Drawing for cards that are likely to give you a second-best hand. For example, calling an opponent, who raised holding a King, with a hand like (5-5) J. Hitting two-pair in this scenario could easily make you a second-best hand.
- Paying exclusive attention to your own game and not that of your opponents. How many players are in on Fourth Street? Did someone raise on Third Street? What type of players is left in the pot? These are all questions to consider during play.
- Pot odds are a big deal in poker, pay attention to them. Calling all the way to the river without proper pot odds is almost an act of Hari Kari.
