Off to play some poker

I think I’ll be playing some 7 Card Stud this evening at a local festival, which is a game I usually do pretty well at. I’m writing this for my own benefit more so than to provide any real stud advice.

When I sit down at a low limit stud table I know that I’ll be playing against people that will draw to any two pair, play any pair higher than jacks like it’s a royal flush, and play straights and flushes very … “slowly.” If they call my raise I am probably beat, if they raise me I am probably ahead. Most of what I know about “real” poker has to be reorganized in my head so that I can tailor my game to these people that are playing for fun.

And that’s my first step - analyze why each person is at the table. It’s usually pretty easy to tell who is there to just throw some money around and have fun and who is there to play tight aggressive poker trying to make money. After I figure that out, the game gets much easier.

I am not very good at 7 card stud, I haven’t played it nearly as much as I’ve played texas hold ‘em, but somehow I manage to make money at the festivals everytime I play. How? I am fairly selective regarding starting hands.

The hand I’m willing to play to a raise are: 3 high cards to a straight, 3 suited cards, a split pair bigger than 10s, a wired pair bigger than 7s. I realize that I’m playing incredibly loose, but it works for me because I have no problem throwing away two pair and I am very good at figuring out what people have based on their board cards.

As long as I play my game and focus, I should do well this evening. I’m hoping to make a few hundred bucks, but I’d be happy with $50. Small time poker baby, gotta love it.

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