Stud H/L is the new Hold'em

Yep, that's right. Stud H/L is now become my game of choice. I got 1st in a $1 tourney yesterday and I played at some HL tables and made another $20 or so. I'm not really sure why I make a better stud HL guy than a holdem guy, but if you have any questions about strategy I can give ya some. ~ Biggs

I too have found that I play Stud hi-low better than holdem. Would take any advice you where willing to give.

It's most likely because not many people know how to play it correctly. They will usually play hands like KQ10 or 8910, even though in HL these are not good at all and borderline, respecively.

If you can capitalize on this, you're golden (as apparently you've figured out).

I usually stick to 3 in the wheel, trips or or paired kings and aces. If I get 3 suited I'll usually pay for another card.

One of the things I love about Stud Hi/Lo(it is my favourite game by the way) is the potential(when playing for low hand) to exploit those who play a hand to win the high hand part of the pot.Unlike Omaha Hi/Lo where you can flop the temporary nut low only to perhaps see your nut low hand get spiked on the turn or river(example:board is 8763A and you held A2),in Stud Hi/Lo you can make a low hand early(at 5th street)and bet/raise quite freely(depending on what your opponent's "up cards" are) and virtually KNOW that you have a lock on at least one half of the pot.Basically you dont have to have to hit a wheel in Stud Hi/Lo to be certain you are winning low hand(unlike Omaha Hi/Lo).In Stud Hi/Lo,the last thing someone holding trips or two high pairs wants to see is someone holding 3456.The player with 3456 may not have the 7 or the 2,but they are in a perfect position(a bluffers paradise if you like) to make the guy holding trips or 2 pair think he is losing (if he doesnt make a boat by 7th street)when he may not be.You may not hit your straight and therefore have to settle for half the pot.But if you do,its scoop time! Thats what I love the most,the far more frequent opportunities(than in Omaha Hi/Lo) to help build a really big pot in the hope that you hit your "miracle scoop" card,knowing that even if you dont you are freerolling for a split of the pot.While i will play for high hand if i am given a reasonable starting hand,I do much prefer going for low hand because of that greater "bluffers paradise" potential.

I have tried all types of poker, every game there is (mostly from the freerolls and play money large tourneys on PokerStars) and I hate stud the most. I actually dont really like Omaha that much, but I absolutely hate stud. There are so many reasons I could list but I am too tired to do so. I am a holdem guy through and through. But if stud is your game, play it often, perfect your skill, and win some money. Good luck and congradulations on your recent success.

****** This is the key to stud H/L!!!!

Let's say you're heads up in stud H/L, and you have 1,2,3,4,7. You're opponent is showing K,K,Q,6. Mathmatically, you are automatically going to win half this pot. There is also a chance that you'll catch the 5 on the river and win it all. So what you do is raise all you can. You're guaranteed half, and you hit the wheel you're probably going to scoop. Also, it's not likely that the guy will fold his kings b/c he thinks you only have a low. This is the key, and this is why playing a low hand is much better than playing a high one. ~ Biggs

I must agree. I very rarely play for the high unless i got something I just can't fold. But you are right on, playing for the wheel(A2345) is the monster pay off because you just keep jamming it a WHAM you flip over that straight.

I wish this game would get the hipe that holdem gets. This is my game of choice. I have played in several tournaments. I have never won first place, but I have been on several final tables and 7 out of 10 times Im in the money. If you are a patient player you can win at this game. Remember to play to the low side.