Suggested reading for a 5-10 stud player

This weekend I'll be moving up from my usual 1-5 stud game and begin playing 5-10. In the future, I hope to move up to the 10-20 limits. Beating the 1-5 game has been fairly easy but, obviously, not very lucrative. I want to know what more experienced players think I should have on my future reading list. So far I've read the following poker books:


7 Card Stud, 42 Lessons: How to Win at Medium & Lower Limits by Roy West (read it twice and planning a third reading)


The Theory of Poker by David Sklansky


Caro's Book of Tells: The Body Language of Poker by Mike Caro


Poker Essays Volumes I, II, and III by Mason Malmuth


The Psychology of Poker by Alan N. Schoonmaker, Ph.D. (almost finished)

By far the most important book you need to read is 7CSFAP by 2+2.


pat

My feeling is that one can earn about 1-2 big bets per hour in a 1/5 game depending on, of course, the nature of the game and the players (i.e. loose passive mostly). In the 1/5 game most often played by visitors to the poker tables who are looking for some action, the way to win is to create a friendly table image; to continue the myth that luck is the biggest factor in winning (i.e. happily congratulate the person who draws to the 22:1 shot on the river and beats you instead of getting pissed of and telling him he is an idiot); and by all means set the traps to collect the funds of the "calling stations". You can have some big nights especially when all the wonderful college students stop by and play at your table (Hell, I was a college student myself and lost--hey free drinks, lots of babes:-).



The 5/10 is similar but often has more experienced "rocks" combined with visitors with a little more money to spend. Here I feel Roy West's book is tip top.



At the 10/20 level and up (i.e. Real poker), the Sklansky books are most helpful, but Roy West is very good. I like Caro's tape and his Internet hints, but above all one must (1) select the game (2) practice

m,s,andz no q...gl

I've got the Sklansky 7CSFAP book but it doesn't apply to the 1-5 game and I don't think it'll be too helpful for the 5-10 game. I read the early chapters and could tell immediately that the plays were going to go over almost all the other players heads.


Ratso, you're going to have to translate that for me.

actually I dont agree with you as far as the books applicability to a 5-10 game. Although many of the plays will go over other players heads the book still has many important concepts especially the discussion of third street play. An experienced player can figure out which concepts will directly apply to the 5-10 game and which wont.


Pat

Roy West's book is probably best for those limits.


You will want to read, read-again, and then re-read the section in 7CSFAP on loose games. I have found a good portion of my 5-10 stud games are of this variety.


Don't worry about reading Caro for these limits, spend your time studying the above.


Finally, The Theory of Poker. Best book on poker ever, no matter what limit.


CJ

I agree Caro's book isn't a major help but it was interesting to read about a different approach to winning besides 3rd street strategy. Since I read it, I've noticed a few "actors" but it always seems to be when I'm not in the pot.


I'll read the loose games chapter in Sklansky's book again. That hadn't occured to me.


Also, I reccomend everyone read "The Psychology of Poker". I was surprised how much I liked it. I just finished it so I don't have any practice in applying what the book discusses but it definately has me thinking about my opponents in a more focused way.

7CSFAP is by far the best book on 7 card stud. Just be prepared to make the necessary adjustments for the limits that you play as it was written for the $15-30 limit , but still usable at all limits. John..

ROY WEST--7 CARD STUD FOR LOW AND MEDIUM LIMITS DAVID SKLANSKY--THEORY OF POKER

Where were you playing $1-5? What were your winning strategies? I play at Mohegan Sun in Connecticut about once a month (also play in home games in my area) and am a solid recreational player. I kill the $1-3 but find the $1-5 much tougher.

There is a topic above this called "Hello, my name is Jeff, and I'm a Rock". I responded to it and gave a brief description of how I play in a 1-5 game. You should read the entire topic.


One critical part of 1-5 games which I see otherwise good players making money-losing plays is how they play their big pairs. I've seen many players raise the maximum amount on 3rd street with top pair (usually Aces) and drive everybody out too soon. A typical hand would be like this: low card brings it in for $1, the good player with Aces raises it to $6, everybody folds and the Aces have made a total profit of $1. That's far too little money for Aces. Without an ante structure, 3rd street raising accomplishes very little. Suprisingly, most of these players seemed satisfied with their $1 pot since they're "tired of being drawn out".


With Aces, I will typically call the $1 bring in, bet $3 on 4th street, and then make the maximum $5 bet on fifth street. I'll get drawn out more often but the pots I win with Aces-up tend to be very good.


If there were any ante structure, then a 3rd street raise would be correct, of course.


Most of my ideas from 1-5 play come from Roy West's book. It's the best for this limit.

Thanks -- I will read the thread you suggested. In the $1-5 at Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods, there is a .50c ante (1-3) has no ante. I also have read West's book and agree that it is excellent. I actually haven't played 1-5 in awhile. I was 700 down and vowed to stick with 1-3 'til I got even (I only play once a month at most). I'm now just $80 down, so I anticipate making my way back to 1-5 once more this winter!

An ante in a 1-5 game? That surprises me. There isn't a casino on the Vegas Strip which has an ante for a 1-5 game.


The ante is very small. I wouldn't suggest hitting everybody over the head with a $5 3rd street raise but some third street raising is probably appropriate. However, I don't have experience with a 1-5 ante.