Last month -- just after the New Year -- I played 7-Card Stud for the first time in my life, with my brother-in-law at the Hard Rock casino in South Florida. Since then, I've read a full course-load of books on the game. Naturally, some books have more value than others. And, of course, there is no substitute for experience. That said, for those interested in learning about the game, I have here a curriculum designed for both efficacy and time efficiency.

The Must Reads
1. Super System, section by Chip Reese
Even if one were to only read Chip Reese's section on 7-Card Stud from the original Super System, a successful hold'em player would probably be sufficiently equipped to tackle any low limit Stud game. The book's formatting (the excessive bolding and italics) makes the text somewhat difficult to read, but Reese gets the point across efficiently. At a little over 40 pages or so, it can be read in one sitting.

He makes the distinction between low ante and high ante games, which -- as you'll see in a minute -- has a great effect on strategy.

2. Winning 7-Card Stud by Ashley Adams
Adams does write for Poker Player and Card Player, but the book was basically written by an amateur for stark amateurs. If you have spent any time studying poker whatsoever, you'll want to skip over parts of the book. However, it is an easy read, and the advice is sound for those new to Stud.

Adams advocates tight Third Street play. His Basic Strategy is aimed at "low ante" or "tightly structed" games -- from $1/$2 no ante games up to $10/$20 with a $1 ante and $2 bring-in. I should note that this doesn't apply to Party Poker, where the antes on the low limit games are unusually high ($0.25 ante from $0.50/$1.00 up to $2/$4, and $0.50 ante on $3/$6 and $5/$10).

3. Seven Card Stud for Advanced Players by David Sklansky, Mason Malmuth, and Ray Zee
Seven Card Stud for Advanced Players is by far the most complete book on the subject. If you only read one book on 7-Card Stud, this is it. There is no comparison.

The text is aimed at "high ante" games -- $15/$30 with a $2 ante and $5 bring-in and higher. These games have a higher proportional antes compared to the lower limit games. As such, recommended Third Street play is considerably looser and more aggressive. For example, Sklansky and Co. recommend raising with (Jd-9c)9d (a pair of nines with a suited connector) on Third Street even if you knew that somebody behind you had a bigger pair. And because of the extra money already in the pot, it is also correct to go all the way heads up with a hand like A-2-2 (a pair of of twos with an ace kicker) against what you know to be a pair such as JJ, so long as your outs are live.

Many of the concepts in the book won't work in low limit play. But an understanding will allow a good player to make those adjustments to any game he plays.

Other Notables
Theory of Poker by David Sklansky
Sklanksy uses Stud to discuss a number of basic poker topics, such as semi-bluffing and raising. One of just a few books that you will learn anything meaningful from on 7-Card Stud. You probably should have already read the book anyway.

Championship Stud by Dr. Max Stern, Linda Johnson, and Tom McEvoy
Why you should read it: For additional views on the subject.
Why you shouldn't bother: The book simply lacks depth. Plus Stern is a super nit compared to Sklansky, Malmuth, and Zee. Championship Stud is supposedly aimed at $15/$30 Stud games and higher, but Stern and McEvoy are both reluctant to play a hand like Ks-Qs-4s, where even Adams would play that hand for raise so long as the cards were mostly live. And given the previous discussion on why you need to loosen up as the limits and antes increase, this is a fatal flaw.

It is perhaps telling the Stern says that he doesn't play above $20/$40.

Also, there is only about 35 pages on Stud-High play, while the rest of the book is on Stud Hi/Lo, Razz, and an unbelievable amount on tournament play in general. Plus the cover price is $39.95. I did manage to get my copy on eBay brand new for $13, though.

Play Poker Like the Pros by Phil Hellmuth
Why you should read it: Because you already own it.
Why you shouldn't bother: Because it is total trash.

Ending Notes
7-Card Stud is a fairly complex game with a wide variety of variables and situations -- particularly compared to Hold'em. As such, there isn't much in the way of quality material on the game. There are a couple of other books on low limit Stud on the way to my mailbox, but I don't see them adding much value, and I am confident that the three-part course here is as efficient a way there is to as complete an understanding of the game as you can get from the books currently available. After that, there is no substitute for experience.