Pokerwiner.com → Better stud poker

FAQ's

Playing in Short-Handed Games

1. Should you change you strategy much when playing short-handed stud?
No. unlike hold’em, short-handed stud doesn’t require that much change in your strategy.

2. Why?
There is less money in the pot in antes, and if you try to steal the antes too often your risk versus reward ratio chances.

3. What does this mean?
Those who try to steal too many antes in short-handed stud games are risking too much to win too little.

4. What if you stick to your normal, fairly tight game?
You really wouldn’t be hurting yourself.

5. Why can short-handed poker be difficult for people who are trying to learn poker from books or who are used to full games?
It is simply that many ring game players never learn how to play mediocre hands well.

6. Do you meekly call with your poor hands against loose, aggressive players?
No.

7. What should you do?
Occasionally splash around, raising with hands that seem like they are barely worth calling.

8. Why do you do this?
To prevent your opponents from having a big edge from their semi-bluffs.

9. Example?
On fifth street you have 5♣ 5♦ 2♣ 9♦ 7♥ , and your opponent has ?? 2♥ Q♣ T♦ . The right play may be to raise on fifth poker street.

10. What should you do if you are against someone who will raise only with a reasonable raising hand and who requires a legitimate calling hand to keep playing?

You should fire away.

11. When is this especially true?
If his board looks ragged.