Ranking of Starting Hands for Seven-Card Stud

These are the different playable starting hands in Seven-Card Stud. The hands are ranked from the best hands to hands with some potential. A three-of-a-kind is by consensus considered the best starting hand. High three-flushes like (A) (Q) 8 is by most 7-Card Stud players considered a more promising holding than a medium or even a high pair. Low straight draws with a gap as (6) (4) 3 is not a good starting hand.

A definitive ranking of starting hands is more difficult to achieve in Seven Card Stud than in for example Texas Holdem. With individual cards, the real strength of a holding is more dependent on how the pot evolves. This list is a good scale for how high the expectations should be on third street.

1. Three of a Kind

2. Three-Straight Flushes

3. High Three-Flushes

4. Hidden Pair of Aces or Kings

5. Open Pair of Aces or Kings

6. Hidden Pair of Queens or Jacks

7. High Three-Straights

8. Medium Three-Flushes

9. Open Pair of Queens or Jacks

10. Hidden Medium Pair and No "Doubles"

11. Open Medium Pair, No "Doubles", and High Side Card

12. Medium or Low Three-Straights