A-5 Lowball with an extra card: how big of an edge?

FoxwoodsFiend · #1 10-23-2006, 02:34 PM

This old-time gambler type named "Doc" offered me to play him heads-up A-5 lowball, 200-400 limit. He offered me 6 cards before the first draw. That is, he would get dealt 5, I would get dealt 6, and we would both then draw to 5 cards. I have never played A-5 lowball although I have played a fair amount of deuce to seven and understand the game pretty well. I am a smart guy with good card sense but hardly a mathematical genius. Doc is considered one of the best A-5 lowball players in the world.

Do you think I would have an edge in this situation? If not, how much of an edge do you think Doc would have?

If the specifics of my skill level are too uninformative, let me ask you: how signifcant of an edge do you think a player gains from the extra card? How good of a player do you need to be to be profitable with this extra card?

2461Badugi · #2 10-23-2006, 04:31 PM

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Do you think I would have an edge in this situation?

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I have a hard time imagining how you wouldn't, if you're a good HU limit lowball player. (If you're not, you'll get crushed.) You'll take so many more blinds than he will that as long as you're careful not to pay him off too much you should cruise.

Wanderlust · #3 10-23-2006, 06:12 PM

I think you will have an edge.

DeathDonkey · #4 10-23-2006, 08:58 PM

His offer was for A-5 triple draw right? At single draw your edge would be monumental. As it stands, he is probably still a favorite but I only say that because I've played with him and I think he is fantastic at A-5.

-DeathDonkey

FishySayBANG! · #5 10-24-2006, 01:26 AM

Dont you think that if he is one of hte best A-5 players in the world he would probably know whether or not he has an edge against someone playing with 6 cards? Does he know you have a clue about TD games?

I dunno though...might just be a wild gambler. Raymer made a post during the summer about a 4-8 game at the Bellagio where some old time gambler was playing badugi, called a raise on the button, and then threw all four in. So who knows...guy just might want some action.

Bill King · #6 10-24-2006, 07:04 PM

you'll have a rediculously huge edge..

maybe not at first, but if he's a gambler like you said, and you're card intelligent (like I can tell you are from your posts.. etc) then you should eventually pick up on it. Howcome I cant find guys willing to give me 6 cards?! lol

2461Badugi · #7 10-24-2006, 07:21 PM

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Howcome I cant find guys willing to give me 6 cards?! lol

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I'll play HU Stud against you and you can have 6 cards.

HOWMANY · #8 10-24-2006, 07:31 PM

If you're actually good at A-5 HU then I don't see how you wouldn't be a favorite. You will just have too many times where you are drawing way better than he is. He should also be folding his big blind to your button opens more since your average hand is better and you have position, and he can't be as aggressive on the button because your increased chance of having a good hand probably cancels out his advantage of position.

DeathDonkey · #9 10-24-2006, 09:04 PM

[ QUOTE ]
you'll have a rediculously huge edge..

maybe not at first, but if he's a gambler like you said, and you're card intelligent (like I can tell you are from your posts.. etc) then you should eventually pick up on it. Howcome I cant find guys willing to give me 6 cards?! lol

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I'm sure Doc would offer you the same bet. Ask him anytime he's on UltimateBet playing A-5 all the time.

-DeathDonkey

FishySayBANG! · #10 10-26-2006, 10:29 PM

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
you'll have a rediculously huge edge..

maybe not at first, but if he's a gambler like you said, and you're card intelligent (like I can tell you are from your posts.. etc) then you should eventually pick up on it. Howcome I cant find guys willing to give me 6 cards?! lol

[/ QUOTE ]

I'm sure Doc would offer you the same bet. Ask him anytime he's on UltimateBet playing A-5 all the time.

-DeathDonkey

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Guess I know who School Bus is now...