The best starting hand in Stud is a Three-Of-a-Kind, which is also called trips. But it’s really really rare to get, you chances once in 425 times. If you play lots of games which are long sessions, statistics say that you should say one or play one every 2 or 3 days. While it’s possible that you get a lower trip than your opponent it is very rare. If you are dealt trips you can asssume that you are in the lead.

You can’t imrove with a trip, the odds are 1.5 to 1, if you start with a trip. You probably won’t make a flush or a straight if you had a trip. But you can improve to a full house or four-of-a-kind, and that point the game is sure as done.

With trips you will see the hand through the river, unless its obvious that you are beaten. That is a rarity, though, in this game.