So I've decided to play a little 7-Card stud when I have the opportunity. This weekend, it worked out real well, but since I feel I'm a bit rusty, I figured I would look over a few key hands and see if I was crazy or not. I'm also looking for suggestions obviously, so please do speak up.

I've been at the table ($1/$2 7-Stud at Interpoker) for about 20 minutes. So far the table is pretty passive, but I haven't really played anything yet, because I'm trying to stay tight.

There's 7 people involved in this hand, and I have ([Ah] ) . There are 2 3s, a 4, a ten and a jack out and only one diamond. The bring-in is two seats to my right and only 1 person folds - so I call, as does the player behind me.

4th street brings me the , here's how the board looks:

dealt to playerA [9h]
dealt to playerB [Ac]
dealt to playerC [4h]
dealt to starsteal [Ks]
dealt to playerD [6d]
dealt to playerE [2d]

There's $1.75 in antes, plus $3.00 from the bring-in on 3rd. PlayerB leads out with a bet and is caller by C. There's $6.75 and its $1 for me - but what am I drawing to? 3 queens obviously, but what about pairs? At this point, I'm not too confident unless it is aces, but even then I have to tread carefully.

I decide I can call - because the table is passive and they will likely pay me off even if I do hit my queen. PlayerD folds and E and A both call.

On fifth - here's the board:

dealt to playerA [9h][2c]
dealt to playerB [Ac][Kd]
dealt to playerC [4h][8c]
dealt to starsteal [Ks][6s]
dealt to playerE [2d][7h]

PlayerB leads off again and C calls - I call as well - as do both players behind me.

On sixth - I hit my queen and playerB hits an ace to pair his cards showing. Here's the board:

dealt to playerA [9h][2c][4d]
dealt to playerB [Ac][Kd][Ad]
dealt to playerC [4h][8c][5c]
dealt to starsteal [Ks][6s][Qd]
dealt to playerE [2d][7h][3s]

Since I'm duplicating most of the cards that playerB needs to make either a boat or a straight, I'm not too concerned about him. Similarly for playerE, who pairs his doorcard - but another 3 is already out. Flushes seem remote possibilities here - so if someone has something to beat my broadway straight - so be it.

B leads off again and C folds - I raise and everyone calls behind me. The river gives me the 5d and A leads off again - I raise and only he calls. He mucks.

I guess the biggest thing I'm concerned about is my draw to a gutshot. I wasn't really getting odds for it - but aces (up until sixth when the other guy got aces) might have been a good enough hit. I'm not sure. If it hadn't hit on sixth, and it was still only one bet, I could see myself calling as well, which is another question I would have.

I think on a passive table you're looking for no smaller than two pair. I don't mind seeing fifth street with those cards, though, since if you suddenly come alive after you hit one, you'll probably be able to know out the smaller pairs from drawing to two pair, thus giving you a higher chance of winning the pot... which is what we all want

I honestly don't like your call on third street as two folks in front of you called with two of your cards which if they both have pairs leaves you drawing real slim and to go with it a Q is sitting behind you. This should probably be folded.

Even when you catch your K you should consider dropping as you act in front of the Q player who may very well have 2 of your needed outs tied up. They end up not having QQ but still you don't know that ahead of time and with al 3 Q's live you are still sucking hind tit here as B has caught one of your Aces and is leading into the field. You are drawing very slim at this point and are just not getting the odds to continue and as I said previously you should probably have saved your 0.50 on third street.

Again - this looks like a much better option to fold here than call. At the time, that I called on 3rd, I think I was mostly looking at the value of the three broadway cards - however, with so many out - I think you are right - I win more here by simply folding and saving my bet.