Literature on Stud/8

[CasinoR7]

I want to start playing both stud hi and stud/8. I am beginning with stud/8. I have purchased the following books, and I know that the first two are good, but I am not sure on the last one.

I have heard that Paul Kammen's book is "not that bad". But I don't know what to think of "not that bad." Are there any flaws in the book that I have to watch out for, or is it better to start with one of the other books?

1)SS2, Todd Brunson's Chapter
2)High Low Split Poker, Ray Zee
3)How to beat Seven Card Stud Eight-or-Better, Paul Kammen.

[Andy B]

Zee is the nuts. Todd's section in SS2 is very good. I haven't read the Kammen book, but, but his high-only book leaves a lot to be desired.

[Beavis68]

SS2 is the nuts, Play poker like the pros is a good intro, Zee's stuff is alright.

Havent read Kammen

[CasinoR7]

Thanks on the tip of Play poker like the pros, I would have never considered reading this book, but the part on stud/8 looks decent.

[Andy B]

I haven't read all of Play Poker Like the Pros, but the stud/8 chapter is the least terrible of the chapters I have read.

[Beavis68]

the stud 8b and omaha 8b section are good for beginners. IT has a great explanation of qualifying low hands. The PLO section is good for the basics too.

[Paul77]

>>I have heard that Paul Kammen's book is "not that bad". But I don't know what to think of "not that bad." Are there any flaws in the book that I have to watch out for, or is it better to start with one of the other books?

I've read it, and I think it's pretty good [img]/images/graemlins/blush.gif[/img]). Actually, I wrote the book as a follow-up, and had a deal with another publisher which fell through shortly after the internet gambling bill last year. I hired a math guy to do tables for me from the RAND Institute, and he did a great job. I think it's much better than my first one, and sent out a number of copies last fall to folks from the forums here. Bear in mind it's just a book though for low stakes players, as my experience comes mainly from playing many hours on PokerStars; Canterbury Park is where I play at typically, but Stud 8 is hit and miss there.

I don't pretend to be a pro; I take the game seriously, and just try to go through what I think works. I had it proofed by a fellow player who plays stud 8, and also I think the math stuff helps too. Happy to send a copy to you; please e-mail me here or at ServusChristi@aol.com.

God bless,
Paul

[Tha Stunna]

For an intro, SS2 is the nuts; for maximizing your skill, Zee's book is better, but it doesn't matter because you should read them both. There are a few points where they differ but mainly Zee's book is just more conceptual.

I'd recommend reading both straight through, SS2 first. Then play some micro limit games and read the hands posted here, maybe even make a few comments.

I will say that the Ray Zee advice on consecutive straight flushes is much looser than I'd recommend, although in a miniscule limit game it might be closer to correct.

If you're transitioning from holdem, its probably much easier to play stud high instead of stud 8; stud 8 and holdem are about as opposite as poker games get.

I've never seen this Kammen book, although it's hard to make money at stud 8 and be extremely wrong; don't consider that an endorsement though. I would like to hear about the parts of the book that are controversial though. Errors ultimately bring enlightenment, I always say.

[Paul77]

>>I've never seen this Kammen book, although it's hard to make money at stud 8 and be extremely wrong; don't consider that an endorsement though. I would like to hear about the parts of the book that are controversial though. Errors ultimately bring enlightenment, I always say.

I haven't seen any reviews on my second book on here, though I've sent out a few copies. As far as book one, it's OK, but a bit too basic; my advice on the buy-in is too tight, as I think Andy pointed out; you just have to have more than $40 for a 2/4 game to start out, and I need more detail on check-raising and semi-bluffs. Book 2 I think is better as it gets into some more finer points; it's longer, and it has the odds stuff. I'm sure it has controversial parts too, but I was much happier with it. It was all set to go until the gambling "ban" bill last year, and the publisher said the market for poker books colapsed; my collegaue had a deal in principle too for his next book to be published, and it was also axed. Too bad, but I still have some hope it may get a look by someone some day. I think it would be an asset, even though the stud 8 community is tiny and admittedly I spend more time playing LLHE these days.

Paul