Mississippi Stud Poker Calculator: Master the Multi-Bet Strategy

Mississippi Stud offers four betting opportunities on a five-card poker hand. Our calculator shows optimal betting decisions at each street, maximizing your expected value through strategic raises.

What Is Mississippi Stud?

Mississippi Stud is a poker-based table game where you build a five-card hand with three community cards. After your initial ante, you make three separate betting decisions (1× or 3× ante, or fold) as community cards are revealed.

Quick Answer: House edge is 4.91% with optimal strategy. Raise 3× with any made paying hand (6s+ pair). Raise 3× with 2+ high cards (J+) or flush draws. Raise 1× with any high card, small pairs, or gutshots. Fold with no draw potential. Never fold mid-hand if you have any reasonable draw—the lost ante is often worse than a 1× raise.

How to Use Our Calculator

Use the Mississippi Stud Calculator →

Enter your cards at each street to see optimal betting decisions.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Enter Your 2 Cards: Hole cards dealt

2. View 3rd Street Decision: First raise

3. Enter 3rd Community Card: First reveal

4. View 4th Street Decision: Second raise

5. Continue Through 5th Street: Final decision

Input Fields Explained

Field	Description	Example
Hole Cards	Your two cards	J♠ 10♠
3rd Street Bet	First decision	3× (flush draw)
4th Street Card	Second community	K♠
4th Street Bet	Second decision	3×
5th Street Card	Final community	8♠
Final Hand	Result	Flush

Pay Table

Standard Payouts

Hand	Payout
Royal Flush	500:1
Straight Flush	100:1
Four of a Kind	40:1
Full House	10:1
Flush	6:1
Straight	4:1
Three of a Kind	3:1
Two Pair	2:1
Pair of Jacks+	1:1
Pair of 6s-10s	Push
Pair of 5s or less	Loss
No Pair	Loss

Mid-Pair Push

Pairs of 6-10 push (return bet)
This is crucial for strategy
Small pairs (2-5) lose
High pairs (J+) win

6s-10s = breakeven
Factor this into raise decisions

3rd Street Strategy (2 Cards)

Raise 3×

Hand	Reason
Any pair (6+)	Made hand or push
Two suited high cards (J+)	Strong draw
J-Q, Q-K, J-K suited	Premium connectors
6-7 through 10-J suited	Straight flush potential

Raise 1×

Hand	Reason
One high card (J+)	Pair potential
Pair of 5s or less	May improve
Mid suited connectors	Draw potential
Two mid cards (6-10)	Some equity

Fold

Hand	Reason
Low cards unsuited	No draw potential
2-7 offsuit	Classic fold
Gapped low cards	Minimal equity

4th Street Strategy (3 Cards)

Raise 3×

Hand	Reason
Made paying hand	Lock in value
High pair (J+)	Winning hand
Three to flush	Strong draw
Open-ended straight draw	8 outs
Mid pair (6-10)	Push guaranteed

Raise 1×

Hand	Reason
Low pair (2-5)	May improve
Inside straight draw	4 outs
Two high cards	Pair potential
Three high cards	Multiple outs

Fold

Hand	Reason
No pair, no draw	Dead hand
Can't make paying hand	Cut losses

5th Street Strategy (4 Cards)

Raise 3×

Hand	Reason
Made paying hand	Already won
Four to flush	9 outs
Open-ended straight	8 outs
High pair	Minimum win

Raise 1×

Hand	Reason
Inside straight draw	4 outs
Any pair	Push potential
Two overcards	6 outs

Fold (Rarely)

At 5th street, rarely fold:
Already invested 1-3× ante
One card left

Fold only with:
- Complete trash
- No possible improving cards
- Even then, 1× often better

Real-World Examples

Example 1: Strong Draw

Hole cards: Q♠ J♠ Ante: $10

3rd Street Decision:

• Two suited high cards
• Flush draw, straight potential

Action: Raise 3× ($30)

4th Card: 9♠ 4th Street Decision:

• Three to flush
• Open-ended straight draw

Action: Raise 3× ($30)

5th Card: K♠ 5th Street Decision:

• Four to flush
• 9 outs to flush

Action: Raise 3× ($30)

River: 7♠

Result: Flush! Wins 6:1 on all bets

• Total won: (10 + 30 + 30 + 30) × 6 = $600

Example 2: Made Hand Early

Hole cards: K♦ K♣ Ante: $15

3rd Street: Raise 3× (pair of Kings) 4th Card: 5♥ (still Kings) 4th Street: Raise 3× (high pair) 5th Card: 2♣ (still Kings) 5th Street: Raise 3× (winning hand)

River: 10♠

Result: Pair of Kings, 1:1 payout

• Total won: (15 + 45 + 45 + 45) × 1 = $150

Example 3: Difficult Fold

Hole cards: 4♣ 7♥ Ante: $10

3rd Street:

• No pair
• Not suited
• Not connected
• No high cards

Action: FOLD

Lost: $10 ante (better than risking more)

House Edge Analysis

Element of Risk

Ante: $10 (always bet)
Average additional bets: ~$27

Total average wager: ~$37 per hand
House edge: 4.91% on total action

Comparison to Similar Games

Game	House Edge
Mississippi Stud	4.91%
Let It Ride	3.51%
Caribbean Stud	5.22%
Three Card Poker	3.37%
Ultimate Texas Hold'em	2.19%

Why Edge Is Higher

Multiple betting rounds increase exposure
Unlike Let It Ride, can't pull back bets
Must make four separate decisions correctly

Common Strategy Mistakes

1. Folding Too Early

Mistake: Fold small pairs at 3rd street Problem: Pairs can improve; 6-10 push Fix: Raise 1× with any pair

2. Not Recognizing Draws

Mistake: Fold 8-9 suited Problem: Has straight flush potential Fix: Learn draw recognition

3. Over-Raising Marginal Hands

Mistake: 3× with any high card Problem: One high card is only 1× raise Fix: Need TWO high cards for 3×

4. Folding at 5th Street

Mistake: Folding with one card to come Problem: Already heavily invested Fix: Almost always raise 1× minimum

Variance and Bankroll

Volatility Profile

Mississippi Stud: High variance

- Big hands rare but pay well
- Many small losses
- Push hands reduce losses
- Streaky results common

Bankroll Requirements

Risk Tolerance	Ante Bankroll
Conservative	100× ante
Standard	60× ante
Aggressive	40× ante

Session Expectations

100 hands, $10 ante:
Total wagered: ~$3,700 (ante + raises)
Expected loss: ~$182

Standard deviation: ~$500
Wide range of outcomes

Advanced Concepts

Gap Connectors

Suited gap connectors have value:
7-9 suited: Raise 1× (straight/flush potential)
5-7 suited: Fold (too low)

The gap reduces straight outs
But flush draw compensates

Three-Card Flush

At 4th street with 3 to flush:
Still 2 cards to come
P(flush) ≈ 35%

Worth 3× raise
Major source of wins

The "Any Pair" Concept

Any pair at 5th street:
Minimum outcome is push (6-10)
Or win (J+)
Or improve (trips, two pair)

Never fold a pair at 5th street

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does 6-10 pair push?

Game design choice. Without mid-pair push, game would be too unfavorable. It creates interesting strategy decisions.

Is Mississippi Stud beatable?

No. 4.91% house edge is significant. Play for entertainment, with proper strategy.

Should I always raise 3× with a pair?

At 3rd street, yes (6+). Later streets depend on hand development and pay table.

What about the side bet?

Most Mississippi Stud side bets have 5-15% house edge. Avoid them for optimal play.

Can I card count?

Minimally useful. Multiple decks, continuous shuffling, and small effect make it impractical.

Is it better than Let It Ride?

Let It Ride has lower house edge (3.51% vs 4.91%). Mississippi Stud has more betting action.

Pro Tips

• Learn the 3× spots: Most value is in proper big raises

• Don't over-fold: Already invested, see it through

• Mid pairs are golden: 6-10 push = not losing

• Count high cards: J, Q, K, A for raise decisions

• Manage expectations: High variance game

Related Calculators

• Let It Ride Calculator - Similar game
• Caribbean Stud Calculator - Alternative
• Three Card Poker Calculator - Simpler version
• Poker Odds Calculator - Hand probabilities
• House Edge Calculator - Edge comparison

Conclusion

Mississippi Stud rewards correct bet sizing across four decisions. Our calculator shows exactly when to raise 3×, when to raise 1×, and the rare times to fold. With 4.91% house edge, it's not the best table game, but proper strategy maximizes your entertainment value.

Calculate Mississippi Stud Strategy Now →

The key to Mississippi Stud is recognizing betting opportunities. Our calculator reveals optimal decisions at each street, showing when draws justify big raises and when conservative 1× bets preserve value. Master the multi-bet structure and play with confidence.