[Poker CPA]

M, we don't know exactly what he has, thus the need for headreading skills.

You need to focus on Seat 4's hand. What does he have? It’s either the case 55s or K5; AA is very, very unlikely. With 55, his EV is about 75% in three way action, no matter what seat 8 has. This EV would account for his betting pattern on 3rd, 4th and 5th. According to “E” he’s a solid a player, “who gets value for his hands”, so his betting pattern makes perfect sense. With K5, it’s completely different. If seat 8 has reasonable cards, like a Js10s, JQ, JA or JsAs, seat 4 is even money against him BUT if seat 8 (KKxx) has any pair higher than the KK55, then seat 4 becomes a massive 8 to 1 “DOG”, to just seat 8. And in three way action, seat 4’s EV is just 6%, if behind seat 8, but still ahead of HERO. If any reasonable stud player were playing seat 4’s hand of K5, HU against seat 8, it would be a tough call. And if he did, he would be in check/call mode all the way to the river. Now if seat 1 just called on 4th, seat 4 has a very EZ fold. And seat 1, RR, thus making it an automatic fold for Seat 4. Seat 4 has a DEAD HAND. That’s why I asked about the definition of the word “DECENT”. Our DECENT player played this hand like a WHALE; under no circumstances does he have the “best of it” unless, of course, he has the case 5s. I play stud via “handreading skills” and these skills tell me to slow down. I can’t fold because the pot is $90 and I figure for an extra $6, maybe a free card, I get to see my river card. Thus, the CALL. A CALL is a very reasonable action to take in these circumstances, far from a BIG MISTAKE.

What’s truly hilarious about this hand, is that our DECENT player makes, not only a BIG MISTAKE, but a colossal Mistake.

So M to summarize, when the choice of plays is problematic, your best play is the one likely to be correct more than 50 percent of the time. Such as a CR on 6th by seat 1. HOWEVER, when the favored play has very bad consequences when it is wrong (the case 5s), and the less-favored play has only slightly bad consequences when it is wrong (another $6, maybe a free card), it may be correct to choose the less favored play. This is what E did, thus not a BIGGIE in the world of stud mistakes.

If you don't think this is a good reason, then lets debate more or if you have any further questions, please feel free to ask. Good luck at the stud tables.

BTW E, seat 4 has a partner. Be careful and GL.