Follow the Queen is one of the most exciting and unpredictable variations of Seven Card Stud. What sets it apart is its use of wild cards—typically any card dealt immediately after a Queen becomes wild for all players. This ever-changing dynamic creates complex situations and forces players to think quickly and observe carefully.
In this guide, you’ll learn how to spot strong hands in Follow the Queen by reading the board, understanding wild card dynamics, and interpreting your opponents’ betting patterns.
Understanding the Basics of Follow the Queen
Follow the Queen plays almost identically to Seven Card Stud, with one major twist: wild cards are determined during the hand. Here’s how it works:
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Each player is dealt two downcards and one upcard.
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If a Queen is dealt face-up to any player, the next card dealt face-up becomes wild for everyone.
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If multiple Queens appear, multiple wild cards may exist.
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If no Queen appears face-up, there are no wilds.
This shifting wild card rule creates frequent surprises and means a strong-looking hand may not be as solid once wilds come into play—or may get even stronger unexpectedly.
Track the Wild Cards Closely
The first step to spotting strong hands is knowing exactly what the current wild card is. Every time a Queen is dealt, your assessment of hand strength must change.
Tips:
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Stay alert for when wilds change—especially on fourth and sixth streets.
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Mentally update the board when new wilds are revealed.
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Keep track of folded hands—if a wild card is folded face-up, that limits the number of those wilds in play.
For example, if a Queen appears and the next card is a 7, then all Sevens are wild. If two Sevens have already been folded, there are only two wilds left, reducing the chance that players have extremely strong hands made of wilds.
Look for Unusual Board Patterns
Because of the presence of wild cards, strong hands often appear in unexpected patterns. For example:
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A player showing two low cards and betting confidently may have one or more wild cards in the hole.
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Watch out for face-up pairs or three-of-a-kinds, especially if they include wild cards.
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A hand that appears weak may be much stronger if it includes hidden wilds.
Example: If 5s are wild and a player is showing 3♣ 7♦ 9♠, that might look random—until you consider that one or two of their hole cards might be wilds, turning their hand into a full house or four of a kind.
Watch for Passive to Aggressive Shifts
Players who suddenly become aggressive on later streets may have hit a major draw with the help of wild cards. Look for these signals:
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A player who was checking early but suddenly raises after a new wild is introduced.
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A quiet player who suddenly leads the betting on sixth street—this often means they connected with wilds or improved dramatically.
Also consider what upcards they have. A hand like 10♠ Q♣ 10♦ might seem like just a pair—until you realize they could be holding the Queen and a wild card in the hole, giving them trips or better.
Consider the Likelihood of Wild Card Combos
Because any card can potentially become wild, hands with duplicate wilds become extremely powerful. Be cautious when:
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A player shows a pair of the wild card
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A player has an unusual mix of low cards but is betting like they have the nuts
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You see few of the wilds folded or exposed—meaning they’re likely in play
If wild cards are plentiful, don’t overvalue two pair or even trips—someone could easily have a wild-aided full house or quads.
Pay Attention to Folded Cards
In a game with wilds, dead cards have a massive impact. If you’re observant, you can narrow down:
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The number of wilds still in play
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How many Queens are left (which could generate more wilds)
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How many potential outs an opponent might realistically have
Advanced players use this to avoid overcommitting in spots where it’s likely someone has drawn a monster thanks to unseen wilds.
Read the Table Image and Player Tendencies
Because Follow the Queen encourages deception, some players will bluff more with wilds in play. Others may only bet big when they have a powerhouse. Observe tendencies such as:
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Who chases with just one face-up high card?
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Who plays tight unless they hit a wild-enhanced board?
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Who overvalues weak two pair hands in wild-heavy games?
Combining these reads with board awareness gives you a massive edge in identifying strong hands.
FAQ
How can I tell if a player is using wild cards in their hand?
Watch for players making strong betting moves without showing traditional strength. If their board looks weak but they play confidently, it’s often a sign they hold wilds in the hole. Also, sudden aggression after wilds appear is usually a giveaway.
Should I always fold if someone is showing wilds?
Not necessarily. Your decision should be based on:
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How many wilds are left in play
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The strength of your own hand
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How aggressive the opponent is normally
Sometimes, players overplay a single wild card, so don’t fold automatically—analyze the full context.
What’s the biggest mistake players make in Follow the Queen?
Overcommitting to hands that would be strong in regular Stud but are weak when wilds are active. Hands like two pair or even trips can be crushed by wild-aided hands. Always reevaluate your hand’s relative strength once a new wild is introduced.