5 Card Stud is perhaps one of the hardest poker games to master for three distinct reasons:

1) Each player is given only 5 cards to work with

2) There is no opportunity to trade in cards, as in 5 Card Draw – whatever you are dealt is what you are stuck with.

3) Your opponents can practically see your entire hand. Four of your five cards are dealt face-up, in direct view of everyone.

Knowing these factors will be working against you, the Starting Hand aspect becomes all too important. Without a good Starting Hand in 5 Card Stud, more often than not, you are throwing your money away by staying in the pot.

Having a great Starting Hand in 5 Card Stud does not guarantee victory, of course, but it can certainly present an edge up on the competition. Below are the key characteristics any good 5 Card Stud Starting Hand should feature.

1) The best possible hand you can be dealt is a Pair, the higher the better. Obviously, a pair of Aces or face cards is stronger than low numbers, but in 5 Card Stud, any pair is worth betting to the Third Street (next card). In the case of 2s, 3s or 4s, if the third card does not give Trips, it might be a good idea to Fold.

2) The next best 5 Card Stud Starting Hand would be two high value cards, preferably Ace and/or Face Cards. Even a 9 or 10 would be acceptable, depending on the up-cards of your opponents. Should both of your cards be higher than the highest face-up card on the board (aside from your own), it is worth betting to the Third Street.

3) Another good situation would be if your Hole card (face-down) is high, Queen or better, and your face-up card is low. So long as this Hole card beats all face-up cards on the board, this is still a good starting hand, as you can assume you have the highest hand, or at least a high enough hand to move forward to the Third Street. However, should one or more opponents start Raising before the Third Street, unless known to be a bluffer, it may be wise to bow out and wait for a better hand.

Strategically speaking, if your 5 Card Stud Starting Hand does not begin with any of the scenarios detailed above, the odds are not in your favor; however, there is one more element to consider.

Player Position

1) Late Position: The best position to be in is the last betting position, or close to it. A late betting position is the key to certain starting hands, especially in the case of Starting Hand #3, described above. Should an opponent begin Raising before your turn, you can choose to Fold without it costing any more than the Ante. If none seem too confident about their hands, it may be wiser to play on to the Third Street. In the case of Starting Hands #1 and #2, determining the confidence of your opposition will allow you to decide whether a simple Call is appropriate, or if your hand is strong enough to Raise.

2) Early Position: If in an early betting position, follow the Starting Hands rules above and do not Raise before the first betting round makes its way around the table. If your 5 Card Stud Starting Hand falls into rule #1 or #2, and an opponent has Raised, Call or Raise back. If your hand falls into rule #3, Call or Fold.

There are other factors that should be considered when playing 5 Card Stud. These opportunities are taught in full detail in 5 Card Stud Strategy.

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