A 7 Stud hand

[Holgininho]

7 Card Stud High ($3/$6), Ante $0,50, Bring-In $1 (converter)

The hand was played at the Cryptos, the tables there are generally slightly loose. I don't have any reads on my opponents.

In this hand I felt very insecure on almost every street. On 3rd street I took some time and then decided to call the first raise. Unfortunately the King behind me reraised. With one more caller I thought I should play the hand. On 4th street I improved, so calling was quite an easy decision. On 5th street it seemy very unlikely the six seat had a higher straight, given that he raised on 3rd street, so I raised.

On 6th street however he had four to a straight on board, while the two seat had three to a flush and bet out. Should I call here? All in all, I'm not really happy with my decisions on 3rd and 6th street, so I would be grateful for comments.

3rd Street - (1.17 SB)

Seat 1: xx xx K:___raises
Seat 2: xx xx A:___calls
Seat 3: xx xx 3:___folds
Seat 4: xx xx 2:___brings-in___folds
Seat 5: xx xx 8:___folds
Seat 6: xx xx J:___raises___calls
Hero: 7: 6: 8:___calls___calls

4th Street - (9.50 SB)

Seat 1: xx xx K: 9:___calls
Seat 2: xx xx A: K:___bets
Seat 6: xx xx J: Q:___calls
Hero: 7: 6: 8: 5:___calls

5th Street - (6.75 BB)

Seat 1: xx xx K: 9: A:___checks___folds
Seat 2: xx xx A: K: 5:___bets___calls
Seat 6: xx xx J: Q: T:___calls___calls
Hero: 7: 6: 8: 5: 9:___raises

6th Street - (12.75 BB)

Seat 2: xx xx A: K: 5: 7:___bets
Seat 6: xx xx J: Q: T: 9:___calls
Hero: 7: 6: 8: 5: 9: 3:___calls

River - (15.75 BB)

Seat 2: xx xx A: K: 5: 7: xx___bets
Seat 6: xx xx J: Q: T: 9: xx___calls
Hero: 7: 6: 8: 5: 9: 3: A:___calls

Total pot: (18.75 BB)

[Taardvark]

I think you played it fine beyond 3rd street, which is really the only area I think you could argue for continuing / folding. 2 suited cards and 3 straight connectors is a pretty decent starting hand although I'd like to have played it more cheaply. However I don't think its a mistake to have played it. By the time the 2nd raise gets back to you there is enough in the pot to continue and just about all of your outs are live.

I think the 5th street raise is a good play and your analysis of the hand is right. I don't put seat 6 on a straight. I think he raised with a pair of jacks or a wired pair of some kind, or maybe a big club or two (not likely but possible). There is a king in play already and two of the nines. We can also infer that the reraise pre flop indicates seat 1 may have a pair of kings. Since he isn't visibly paired on 6th it's clear that he doesn't have anything better than a set unless he has the unlikely straight.

The flush is problematic since there is only 1 visible heart. Because of that the flat call on 7th is prudent and you are getting huge odds to simply call, even if seat 6 made his hand. You'll win this often enough to make up for the times that you lose. Villian could very conceivably be playing aces up with a busted flush draw or something like that.

[chillrob]

I think you have to fold this on third, even if you knew the King would not reraise. I have found a 3 straight is basically the worst semi-playable starting hand in stud and only worth playing against several others, not as the first one in after a raise. My straights hardly ever hit, and when they do I am usually beaten by a better hand. A straight draw which is higher is better because you can make a pair and have a decent hand, but I would never play 678 for anything more than the bringin.

Rob

[Holgininho]

Thank you. One of my reasons for playing was indeed that the hand was 2-suited as well. But even if I had improved to a three flush on 4th street I would have had a hard time to continue, I think.

I know (in theory), that all straight draws are marginal at best, but I don't have much experience playing them. So as a default you should only limp in with them, if nobody has completed yet? Can you play them from early position at all?

[chillrob]

I am no stud expert, but most of the material I have read recommends only to play straight draws (and flush draws for that matter), if they have something else going for them as well, particularly high cards that can hit valuable pairs as a backup. Having a 2-flush does add some value, but I would only let that convince me to play if the suit were completely live. Considering that 2 of your suit are already dead, and the only person you know will be playing is someone who has raised, and you are in early position, I really can't see justifying playing this hand.

Rob