Follow the Queen
Also known as: Chase the Queen, Queen and What Follows
A Seven-Card Stud variant with a dynamic wild card. Whenever a queen is dealt face up, the next card dealt face up (and all cards of that rank) become wild. If another queen is dealt later, the wild card changes. If the last queen is dealt as the final up card, or no queen appears, there are no wild cards.
Quick Rules
- Played like Seven-Card Stud: 2 down, 4 up, 1 down.
- When a queen is dealt FACE UP, the next face-up card determines the wild rank.
- All cards of that rank become wild for everyone.
- If another queen appears face up later, the wild card changes to the next card dealt.
- If a queen is the last face-up card dealt, there is no wild card (nothing follows).
- Queens themselves are never wild.
Strategy Notes
Hand values swing dramatically as the wild card changes. A hand that was four-of-a-kind can become just a pair if the wild card shifts. Be cautious about overcommitting to hands built on the current wild card early in the deal. Late-street queens can devastate or rescue players.
Home Game Tips
The shifting wild card creates exciting swings and table talk. Make sure the current wild card rank is announced clearly and visible to all players. Consider using a chip or marker on the table to indicate the current wild rank.