Value Betting in Seven Card Stud
Seven card stud poker is usually played in a limited format, with fixed bets on each street. In limit poker, proper value betting is extremely important, since you can only win chips one bet at a time, rather than in huge all-in pots as in no limit. However, in seven card stud, players need to be very careful when value betting.
Pitfalls of Value Betting in Seven Card Stud
The problem with value betting in seven-card stud is that it is often a game of a made hand against a draw. That is to say, one player is betting with the best hand while another is calling with a hand that is likely to become the best if he gets the cards he needs.
The result is that on the river, a player either will have made his draw, making value betting incorrect, or have missed, making value betting useless. For this reason, players must be more careful when value betting in seven card stud.
When Not To Value Bet in Seven-Card Stud
Player 1 has (Ad 8c) As 2h eight 2d (3h). Player 2 has been calling with (XX) 9c 3c 4h Th (X). There is a good chance that player 2 has been calling all the way with a flush draw. He can see player 1 betting with a likely pair of aces and a likely two pair on sixth street.
If you bet and he missed his flush, he will fold, winning you nothing. If he makes his flush and raises, you may feel compelled to call because of the pot odds, costing you two bets. In this case, it is better to simply check and call if he bets.
When to Value Bet in Seven Card Stud
On the other hand, let's say your river card in the situation above was the 2c, giving you a full house. Here you may want to value bet. If your opponent missed his flush he will fold, but he likely would have checked if you checked to him anyway. If on the other hand he made his flush, he will often raise, allowing you to re-raise and win three bets.
