no ante 7c stud

I'm playing a 1-5 casino game with no ante. The lowest card brings it in, but there is no ante to steal. Should I slow play priemium pairs more? Maybe at least until 4th street? In late position I still bet strong, but if I'm early, and have best hand (and theoretically should bet) should I just call. (If I don't everyone will fold and I'll win like $2.


Thanks

Depends on game conditions.


If it is a very tight game, then there is nothing wrong with slowplaying a big pair being 1st or second to act.


You are correct that in a later position, it is correct in pounding.


CJ

i think you should be much more inclined to limp on third street with big pairs in early position. inlate position remember that many players will call you raise with much worse hands so you can raise more. these games can sometimes be tight but often are very loose. you shoudl play very tight in a raised pot and much looser in an unraised pot. this advice is very general but after you play you will see its applicability.


Pat

I’ve played very little 1-5, so my opinion doesn’t mean much, but I’ll tell you how I suggested to my wife that she handle playing 3rd street.


If you have a premium pair in early position, come in for a raise the same as you would in an ante-game, but don’t over bet the pot. For example, if you have Aces in middle position, and the bring-in and one limper are in ($2 in the pot), make it $3 to go. You wouldn’t mind being heads-up against the limper for a $7 pot after his call, and should anyone after you call (or raise) you gain information that will give you a better idea of how to play the later streets. Also, if there are players who will pay $3 to play (J 10) 7 for a raise, you might as well get their money in. Generally, stud is easier to play when you have control of the betting, allowing you to decide if and when more money goes into the pot. The only way I know how to do that is by raising.


If no one has limped ($1 pot), make it $2 to go. If for no other reason than to see what everybody does, I think it’s worth it. If, however, the game has one or two loose aggressive types, you might consider limping more in early position to set up a re-raise to really put pressure on players who limped after you to abandon ship.


Let me know what you think. My wife won’t let me watch her play (I criticize, I guess), so I don’t know if what I’m saying works.


Tom D

Yes, these have been my thoughts as well. I am not going to compromise the quality of my starting hands for these morons who will bet at anything. But I want to make them pay to play with me. I think small raise to start, then larger to go on is the trick. I will probably raise to $4, instead of 3 because these guys are like "whats a buck"... and then they draw miricle cards. (Last night I had 4 priemium hands all night... I got beat on the river by 3! I got payed of on the fourth but am still down $50... doh! I shouldn't of happened, but I played right and I'll getem tonight)


Cool, and thanks!

I'd agree but I'd also like to point out that table image and how you play other hands in this position is important. If you have been making it $6 with hands like (8s8d)Kd and (Qd10d)Kd then it might be wise to make it $6 with (Kc4s)Kd. If you've been limping with small pairs and draws and you suddenly come out of the woodwork with a big raise, you're not going to get much action (dependent on how bad the players are). deceptive play isn't that important at 1-5 but you shouldn't make it too obvious where you're at.

play well on 3rd St. but very badly on 4th and/or 5th St.

Example

U have split K's on 3rd and U and your opponent are heads-up on 4th.

U catch a blank and your opponent is high with one "A" showing.

He bets into U after U raised 3rd St. with split K's.

Most players at these limits will call all the way. Don't U call! Fold on 4th Str.

He has U beat with at least A's.

U are showing a "K" on 3rd Str. and your opponent put U on K's when U raised.

Calling in this spot will usually cost U 3 or 4 BB's.

Players at these limits usually have what they are representing and expect U to call all the way with your K's.

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Happy pokering,

sitting Bull