Does tournament strategy vary from Hold ‘Em to Seven-Card Stud? Let’s take a look.

First thing to note is that in many stud tournaments, it’s high/low. This means the high hand wins half the pot and the low hand wins half the pot. If you have both in the same hand (called the Wheel), you win the entire pot.

Most of the basics for a stud tournament are the same as Hold ‘Em. There’s a buy-in amount that’s equal for everyone. Some tournaments will offer a re-buy within a certain period of time if you go out, blinds rise at time-intervals, etc…

One financial difference in most stud tournaments, and one that might scare some poker players off this style, is that in larger tournaments, usually only the players who make it to the final table will be “in the money.” No prize for 10th place.

Bet increases (blinds and/or minimum/maximum bets – depending on the rules) can either be through time intervals or number of hands played – again, a specific house/tournament rule that varies.

As in Hold ‘Em, your position at the table is extremely critical in a stud tournament. If you’re going to fall asleep on something at the table, don’t let it be this. If you’re paying attention, you’ll be able to spot situations like whether to play a pair of Queens if players before you are already playing with an Ace up – especially if you’re kicker card is of no help. In fact, knowing when your kicker is worthless to your hand is just as important as knowing what your odds are of hitting that particular hand (odds I discussed in a recent blog entry).

Position can also help you determine risk. If you’re in a later spot at the table, and higher cards behind you are betting and raising, even if you hit your “out” card, if your range is under the range of your opponents, it’s not worth the risk to continue with that hand. They may catch further cards for a higher pair, two-pair or a set, while you’re still chasing the second-best hand. Makes no sense. Fold.

Also, in stud, your up-cards are your fuel for bluffing and power play. Nobody shares cards in this game, so use that to your advantage. And don’t think you always need a face card or Ace to throw your weight around. An eight or a nine can be just as deceptively powerful if played correctly.