Games People Play

Oh, the games people play now,

Every night and every day now,

Never meanin' what they say now,

Never sayin' what they mean

- Joe South

It really appears that this song was meant to be a poker song, doesn't it? Poker, as is the case with many games, has an element of deception in it. First, the players tell you one thing and do another, say what they don't mean, and don't really mean what they say.

So, what is the point I am making? It's that poker is a very deep game in many ways, and that different games are better suited to different types of people. Similarly, playing poker in different venues has its advantages, as well. Some players prefer Omaha eight-or-better, and find those who prefer seven-card stud to be goofy. "Stud is like watching paint dry," they will tell you. Yet, stud is a very popular game in some parts of the country. Many readers have asked me where to go to play certain games, or have mentioned to me that they couldn't find their favorite game and/or limit in their local market. Well, the games are different depending on where you go and when you go there. Different parts of the country seem to rely on different games for the bulk of their play. Also, during major tournaments, cardrooms will spread games that you would never find otherwise. Why is that? During tournaments, of course, the "out-of-towners" ask for their favorite games to be spread, but as for why various games vary in popularity from one part of the country to another, I don't really know the answer. Perhaps folks got comfortable with certain games because they were the games that were offered in their locale, and then they took them with them when they traveled.

For example, on the East Coast, low- and middle-limit seven-card stud is very popular. Move away from the Atlantic Ocean and you will find only an occasional game higher than $1-$5 or so. If a cardroom spreads a $10-$20 or higher seven-card stud game, it is likely to be the only game at that limit, and seldom will have much of a waiting list. What is it that makes players either love or hate seven-card stud? In my opinion, stud is one of the most difficult limit games to play well. It demands great concentration, along with other natural and learned abilities, to excel at it. Remembering cards is key to becoming a successful stud player, as is patience. Stud may require more patience than any other poker game, and some players are just not cut out for that. Others do not understand the idea that you must be aware of the cards that are already out in order to know what chances you have of completing a hand, as well as what chances your opponent has of completing the hand that you have put him on. Stud is a game of live cards. If you don't play live cards, you soon will be looking for another hobby. And if you play when you are tired, you will find that the game becomes tedious and difficult, as you must pay attention all the time.

Hold'em is a game for the truly lazy player, in my opinion. Perhaps that is why, up until several months ago, I had spent much of the last several years playing this form of poker almost exclusively. Yes, I am lazy and find that this is the easiest game to play well and consistently beat. You don't need to pay attention to any cards that are out (other than the community cards on the flop), as there are none. You don't need to watch each player's face as his own personal card hits his hand; you merely need to pay attention to your opponents when the flop, turn, and river hit. Heck, you could play this game while looking out the window. Many players realized this and flocked to the hold'em tables, and the game has grown tremendously in popularity in the past few years. Only a few years ago, there were very few middle-limit hold'em games in Las Vegas. Now, you will find many games at a few of the local properties. So, for this lazy player, it was time to move on.

In the last several months, I have discovered the joys of Omaha eight-or-better. While I am far from an Omaholic, I have found some very desirable things about this latest fad in games. What are they? The main one is that most people play the game very badly, and it therefore is a very beatable game at the low and middle limits. You needn't be the best player in the world to beat this game; you only need to be one of the better players at the table. Many players see the game as an opportunity to play lots of hands, and for an expert player, that may be true. However, if you do not play particularly well after the flop, you will have to play this game tight or you will find yourself in trouble.

There are different games to pique everyone's interest and capabilities. It is important to determine your strengths and weaknesses and then play the game or games that suit you best. It also is tremendously advantageous to learn to play more than one game well. That way, if you find yourself on the Atlantic Seaboard or in Connecticut, you will be ready to attack that stud game that you had always loathed before. Class dismissed.

As always, please contact me with your column ideas and poker questions and comments. I will answer everyone personally.