Satisfying The Hypotheses

Hello,Players,

In his excellent book,"Seven Card Stud Poker",

Konstantin Othmer stated the following:"The strategy used to beat advanced players will not

beat beginning and intermediate players.

In another excellent work,"The Theory Of Poker" ,David Sklansky stated that it is frequently desirable to eliminate players to go heads-up while you have the second best hand ---"especially while you believe you're not that far behind". He stated that "Your underdog status is more than compensated by all that dead money in there".


In a no ante low limit game, there is very little "dead money" in the pot-- especially if one factors in the house rake and the jack-pot rake.

Hence,the hypothesis to go heads-up with a second best hand is not satisfied.

In games like 15-30 and higher,this hypothesis is usually satisfied. Hence,the best strategy is to go heads-up if you are a slight underdog.


Sitting Bull

You are correct in your assessment of low limit poker. but there is other factors at work. For example, at low limit youmight have a slight negative expectation playing a worse hand heads up. But this can be compensated by getting free cards, being able to outplay your opponent, him paying of on the end with hands that you wouldnt, him paying off all the way with a lone big pair etc... These factors can make it worthwhile to play the hand since you can overcome the slight negative expectation in a variety of ways. Many times in low limit you can overcome this negative expectation because someone with an even worse hand will stay in with you and the best hand and will pay off all the way.


Pat