7 Card Stud 8/b - Introduction and Basic Strategy

Mars

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7 Card Stud 8/b - Introduction and Basic Strategy

« on: October 23, 2008, 08:50:41 PM »

7 Card Stud 8/b is a good game for hold'em players making the transition to stud. A limit game where almost every pot will be split, with some basic knowledge of the game your results shouldn't be too bad to start off.

Each hand, players are forced to post an ante, a forced bet which is relatively small compared to the stakes. In a $5/$10 game of razz, the ante might be $1 - maybe even less.
Play begins with each player being dealt 2 cards face down, and one card face up. Whoever has the lowest card showing, is forced to "bring in" - a bet which is usually 1/3 to 1/2 a small bet. In case of a tie, suits are used. If he/she wishes, a player may choose to begin with a "complete" bet - or one small bet.
After the first bet is made, play goes around the table clock-wise. Players may choose to fold their hand, call, or raise (or check, if no bet is made). A raise on the bring in amounts to one small bet.
After every player still in the hand has placed the same amount of money into the pot, one card face-up is dealt to each player. Play begins with whichever player is showing the best hand.
"5th street" is dealt, again face up to each player. Again, whoever is showing the best hand begins the betting. From this round on, only big bets are used. In a $5/$10 game of razz, bets are made $10 at a time.
"6th street" is dealt, again face up to each player. Whoever is showing the best hand begins the betting.
"7th street" is dealt, face down to each player. Whoever is showing the best hand begins the betting.
After 7th street, players left in the hand reveal their cards. Whoever is showing the best high hand splits the pot with the best qualifying low hand. A qualifying low hand is any 5-card combination of 8-high or worse, discounting straights and flushes. If there is no qualifying low hand, the high hand "scoops", or wins the entire pot.

Okay, so here are some suggestions for first-timers:

LOOK FOR SOLID DRAWS. While the best starting hand is [AA]A (also known as "rolled up aces"), moving down to [22]2, some of the next best card combinations are low suited connectors. Look to play hands such as A23 (all suited), or 245. Hands which contain a pair other than aces are very weak
IF YOU SEE 4TH STREET, YOU MIGHT AS WELL SEE 5TH. If you call a bet to see 4th street, it means you have a decent drawing hand. If it costs a single bet to see 5th street, go ahead and call when you get a bad card, like the Kh when you're on a low diamond draw - there's still plenty of cards to come. Of course, if you are going to be in the middle of a raising war, get out of the hand.
KEEP TRACK OF YOUR OUTS. This holds true for all stud games. If you start with 3 diamonds, it's usually worth it to see 4th street, even with a raise on 3rd street. However, if there are 2 or more diamonds showing, there's a much less chance of you hitting your flush. Don't chase for cards you won't be dealt.
USE THE UP CARDS TO YOUR ADVANTAGE. This goes along with keeping track of your outs. Before you act, take a look at everyone's up cards, and how they've acted so far. Make a determination of whether they are chasing the high, low, or both ends of the pot. It probably isn't wise to try to force out those chasing both ends, but you should be able to knock out those with weak high draws - leaving you against those with only lows. Continue to watch their cards, and if they aren't making their lows, bluff them out of the hand.


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cha$ingcard$

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Re: 7 Card Stud 8/b - Introduction and Basic Strategy

« Reply #1 on: October 25, 2008, 07:26:00 AM »

the above is a good strategy for beginners.the only part i would perhaps dissagree with is

Quote

IF YOU SEE 4TH STREET, YOU MIGHT AS WELL SEE 5TH. If you call a bet to see 4th street, it means you have a decent drawing hand. If it costs a single bet to see 5th street, go ahead and call when you get a bad card,

.the problem being for a beginner,is it is then easy for them to fall into the chasing draws mentality.optimal stats for stud8 should be around seeing 4th street 25% or just below sometimes as tight as 20%.these percentages are based on my experience of several final tables in the $3 and $11 mtts.i cant comment for cash tables as im not a regular on them but from what ive seen they are a lot more aggresive due to the fact u can always rebuy back in.

early stages of stud8 mtt more often than not ,you are looking to play 3 low no worse than a 7 high,247 most probably being the worst 3 card low i would play.if all 3 are suited even better.So beginners starting hands your looking 4 are A23,A24,A25,A26,234,235,236,and so on.obv 3 cards to a wheel is an extremely strong starting hand,and if last to act and no raise in front,i will more often than not raise this depending on other players cards on show.

high face cards unlike stud should be folded in stud8,the likes of 10JQ as even if you hit your straight,more often than not you will split the pot with a low hand.i will maybe only play that type of hand in the late stages or more so at ft.

likewise pairs,good hand being AA2 with the aces hidden.proceed to bet this from the start being carefull to watch as other players hands develop through the streets,pretty much any other pair i will muck early stages of an mtt.


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Mars

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Posts: 402

Re: 7 Card Stud 8/b - Introduction and Basic Strategy

« Reply #2 on: October 25, 2008, 10:21:59 AM »

Quote from: cha$ingcard$ on October 25, 2008, 07:26:00 AM

the above is a good strategy for beginners.the only part i would perhaps dissagree with is

Quote

Some excellence advice you added there cha$ingcard$.

I suppose you're right about the chasing draws mentality. I should have pointed out chasing weak draws after 5th street, no matter how cheap, is a definite no-no. Thanks for pointing that out.

I have to disagree with your point about hands like TJQ, though. Yes, there will be times when the pot splits..but you will seem them coming from a mile away. In addition, low limit stud games (where most beginners will be playing), you will have a lot of players chasing their low draws - so the pot is built up, it is actually worth it to go for half the pot in this case. In addition, there is always the chance (however unlikely) that there will be no qualifying low hand - making it very easy to scoop with your straight.


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manndl

Newbie

Posts: 20

Re: 7 Card Stud 8/b - Introduction and Basic Strategy

« Reply #3 on: February 16, 2009, 10:07:24 AM »

you should only go on with your low draw after 5 street if you have a chance to scoop the pot(straight draws,flush draws etc)or it is a multiway pot and you are the only 1 going for low.if you are going for high watch carefully where the 4 and 5 land.because your oponent will need them both if he goes for low and wants to make a straight.1 more thing stud h/l is a jamming game.dont get in the middle with a draw when the other players have made hands.just fold Cry


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