Some Winners in Stud; Some Position in Hold'em

Hi. Come on in. Don't sit down. We're going to hike up to the top of the hill and roast hot dogs. I have everything packed, including the firewood. Let's go, my friend, and speak of our beloved game while overlooking the city lights.



Another seven-card stud question I've been asked too many times: How big a hand is needed to win in seven-card stud and how should that hand be played to a showdown? That question was asked by a young fellow who confronted me in a local card emporium. I informed him that he had asked an unaskable question. That, predictably, puzzled him, so I pressed forward with an unanswerable answer. (I see that now puzzles you, so I'll again press forward.)



With four or more players still active in a hand on seventh street, you can figure it will take, on average, three eights or better to win in low- and medium-limit games. With three or fewer staying to the end, two big pair will win more than they will lose, on average.



Also realize that a big pot usually got big because of big hands competing, and the bigger the pot, the bigger the hand that is usually needed to win.



Your best course of action on seventh street at the low and medium limits usually is straightforward play. Check-raising seldom is a paying proposition. Your opponents, for the most part, are not sophisticated enough to be trapped. Forget any tricky stuff. That's not what gets the money at those limits.



It's solid, mistake-free play that sends you to the cashier on your way home, instead of directly out the door. So, if you are first to act and think that you have the best hand, go ahead and bet. Many players will call with a hand that they would not bet, because they are suspicious of a bluff (and think that it is a mark of dishonor to be bluffed out).



Bet your strong hands and try to reach an inexpensive showdown with medium or weak hands. Also keep in mind that if you perceive yours to be the best hand, whatever its strength, bet it. Remember, you don't always need a big hand, just the best hand.



Think position while playing hold'em (stud, too, but especially hold'em): I've talked about this before, and some players, especially the many new players to the game, still haven't gotten it or don't care. Start caring – hold'em is a game of position.



Being the last player to act on any round of betting is a big advantage. It shouldn't take a genius to understand that. This is especially true in hold'em – even more so than in stud games, where position is also very important. If you're on the button or in late position, you can play hands that are too risky to play from early position.



One of the greatest mistakes I continue to see players make in hold'em is to play the same hands the same way, whether in early position or late. These players have decided which hands they will play, and they come into every pot with those hands, having given no thought to their position.



Because you have the advantage of seeing what action your opponents have taken before you are required to act, you can often play weaker hands from late position. Please don't take this to mean that you can profitably play any two random cards from the button. A hand like 7-2 is still a dog, no matter how good your position is.



Position is especially important when playing marginal hands. Marginal hands tend to be dangerous when played from the front row, but play well from the back row. I have a friend whose entire hold'em strategy can be stated as follows: "Big cards early – trash late." He doesn't want to know much more than that, and it seems to be working for him.



If you aren't taking position into account when deciding whether you'll play a given hand, you're giving up too much of an edge to players who do consider position.



You scarfed down those hot dogs like you were going for the world championship. It's my special mustard that adds that special zip. All of that hiking up and down has tired me, and I require repose. Kill the light on your way out.

Roy West, best-selling poker author, continues giving his successful poker lessons in Las Vegas for both tourists and locals. Roy's toll-free number is 800-548-6177 ext. 03. In Las Vegas call 873-7574.