Re: foxwoods 75/150 stud question
I've never played in that particular game, but I play often in the 75 stud game at the Taj (from what I understand, the games play similarly).
The game is certainly worth your time to learn as there is a lot of money to be made...I'm in a bit of a time crunch right now, but here are some quick thoughts:
Pros
-You will run into few if any truly skilled players; many who play this game are wealthy businessmen, not grinders
-Generally, people play transparently and strategic decisions are easier than hold em. Few people will raise later streets without having what their board represents even though raising with a pair/draw combo is often correct. This makes it easy for you to get max value off hands and eliminate people, etc. Generally, if you have a hand or scary board, you take command. You should take the betting lead generally.
-The game rewards people who pay attention. Third street is huge - if you only play live hands and can analyze the dead cards well to put people on hands accurately, you have a leg up on the competition. Ante stealing is huge.
-Many passive players let many free cards slide off which is to your benefit.
Cons
-The best starting hand holds up less than in hold em. Understand that and be mentally prepared to have sessions where aces lose constantly to two small pair.
-To play well, you must pay STRICT attention to the upcards. This is tiring. You can't play as long as you can at hold em because of this. You can sometimes go long stretches at hold em barely paying attention - if you do this at the stud tables, you will lose your ass and should go home.
-Experts. While there are fewer experts at the high limit stud games than comparable limits at hold em, the ones that exist are very dangerous and can manipulate you to do exactly what they want. Learn who they are and avoid them in marginal spots.
As for how to learn the game, SSFAP is a start. But a cursory reading of it before jumping into a 75 game is not recommended (by me anyway). Play a bunch of 20 or 30 stud first (I'm saying this to you because I know you have a decent roll, this is not good advice for the general public). Don't play very small limits if your goal is to play 75 - the ante structure at the bigger games requires significantly different strategy than a 5-10 game would.
Other recommended reading: Mason's first two poker essays books have a lot of good material on stud. Ones I like include: Common Seven Stud Errors (THIS IS MUST READING) and there are other ones on why hold em players lose at stud and which game is harder that will shed light. Buy these books. Post here. PM me or respond here if you want.
Jeff
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