3rd September 2008
Dead Outs in Seven Card Poker
Most big starting hands in seven card stud poker involve either a large split pair, a large buried pair, or three coordinating cards (three to a straight or three to a flush). While these hands are easily playable, you have to be aware of how many of your outs are already “dead.” If you start the hand with the ace, ten, and four of spades, but there are four other spades and an ace already exposed in other players hands, you are much less likely to make a strong hand by seventh street and you should probably fold on third street or at the very most, call one bet and then proceed with extreme caution, even if the card you are dealt on fourth street improves your hand. Dead outs can be hard to spot, especially if you are multi-tabling online. If you aren’t watching your table right when the cards are dealt you might click over to see you’ve been dealt (KK)9 but the other two kings in the deck were already dealt out and folded and now your hand has a much smaller chance of improving. Always be aware of the cards that have already been folded and you will be able to play your hands more appropriately.
