In stud-high, I find that when I've taken the lead, I tend to keep taking it throughout most of a hand. Unless, of course, my opponent's board becomes threatening. At what point during the hand should I be slowing down with just a pair (or big cards)? To what extend should I be check-calling?

Well, of course, this depends A TON of who you are against, dead cards, what you think they have, their playing style, etc.....but in general, whenever YOU think you have the best hand, bet it. If you are raised, reevalutate the situation.


For Example: if you start with split Aces with a King kicker, and are called by a J and a Q, and you lead out on third, fourth, and fifth street with no improvement in your hand, and their boards have no obvious draws and no pairs, I would continue to bet out until someone raised me (which would represnent two pair on hitting concealed trips, possibly..). However, if the Q hits something like running 6 6 by fifth street, then maybe checking-and calling is okay, as you likely just need any second pair to win the hand. However, if you do make two pair, lead out until someone tries to represent a bigger hand (by raising, etc...) Staying aggressive with big pairs is very important in stud, unless you are being called by four or more players,then you probably need to make at least two pair pretty quickly to have the best hand. If up against just one or two others, however, always assume your big pair is best AT LEAST until fifth street, where you then need to think about what they would be calling you with..

Also, you shouldn't be being too aggressive with just big cards unless you are trying to steal the antes. Do not get fooled into thinking (A K) J unsuited is a great hand. It is sometimes playable, but usually a pretty easy fold, especially to a raise. There are always exceptions, of course, but don't play marginal hands like this too often.

I agree with kowboykoop for the most part on his advice. Well said sir. But I like A K J if I have the oppurtunity to be the original raiser and represent the possibility of a bigger hand. Fifth street is make or break time in seven card stud so if your A K J hasn't improved then you can usually hit the breaks on sixth street. However even if you make just a gut shot you might want to continue betting against what you believe to be a small pair. After all how much pressure is a guy with unimproved split sevens going to take from an exposed board of something like xx K Q 8.

That is why I said there are exceptions when it comes to A K J. It can be a playable hand to "semi-bluff" with against a small pair. Calling raises with it, however, can only lead to trouble.