[Rush17]

You asked why people play high hands in stud 8/b. I agree that most high-hand type hands are not going to play well in this game. But, don't let that mislead you into thinking that ALL 3 card low hands are playable either. Because they're not.

The object (or, optimally) is to enter pots with 3 low cards that can BACK INTO a high hand, such as 234, 345, A23, A45, 567, or 3 suited cards. All those starting hands have good potential to make straights, A's up, or a flush. And, ALL those hands have very good scoop potential, and basically, that's really what you're looking to achieve. SCOOP!

The 862 hand has virtually no high draw, and you're playing an 8 that also has a 6 in it. Which means, that, even if you managed to catch 3 perfect low cards (A34) you'd still wind up with an 86---low. And rarely will that hold up for 1/2 the pot in a multi-way pot with other low drawers.

And, because this is also a stud game, you have to take the other upcards into consideration before entering a pot. In 8/b, when there's an Ace lurking (and in your case there were 2 Aces out), this should be an auto-fold because the likelihood of one of them raising on 3rd is just too high. And, if that happened, you would really have a hard time calling because, if they're raising on a low, you couldn't even beat what you see. Which, reminds me, if you're going to play a bad low hand, at least have an Ace in the hole (ie;86A); that way, if you hit an Ace, you'll give yourself a much better chance to earn on the hand.