Mississippi Stud: the complete strategy guide
Everything you need to play Mississippi Stud well, in one place. Every number on this site is computed from an exact combinatorial engine that reads every possible five-card hand. Nothing here is guessed or copied.
Short answer
Mississippi Stud is a solo poker game against a paytable, not a dealer. You place an ante, then decide to bet or fold on three streets as cards are revealed. With exact optimal play the house edge is 4.9149% per ante (about 1.4109% per unit wagered). The core skill is discipline: correct play folds about 31.07% of starting hands before betting more, and raises the maximum with every pocket pair.
Use this guide as a map. Start with the rules, learn the exact strategy, then open the trainer to practice each decision with instant feedback graded against the engine.
Common questions
Is Mississippi Stud beatable?
No. It is a negative-expectation game against a fixed paytable. Optimal play lowers the cost to about 4.9149% per ante, but the paytable always favors the house over time.
What is the most important decision?
Folding weak starting hands. Correct play folds about 31.07% of two-card starts. Betting these hands is the most common and most expensive error.
Should I ever bet 2x?
No. Because every wager is paid on the same scale, the 2x bet is always beaten by either betting 3x or betting 1x. Optimal play uses only fold, 1x, and 3x.