Tahoe Split

[MtDon]

There are a couple of card rooms where I live (Billings, MT) that are offering Tahoe Split (8 qualifier for low) as part of their player's choice games.

Are there any books or web sites that have information on stategy for playing Tahoe Split. Starting hand requirements, etc.

Does anyone here have some basic advice on playing it?


-- Don

[Tom Bayes]

I can't help you with this game because I'm not sure what Tahoe split is. I have a notion that Tahoe="lazy" pineapple, i.e. pineapple without the discard, play 0,1,or 2 from your hand. If so, I'd hunt the archives here and at RGP for anything on pineapple.

But if I can hi-jack your thread, I'm interested about the poker rooms in Billings. I have family in NW Wyoming and will probably spend some time in that area this summer. If I'm in Billings, what room(s) should I visit? What games and stakes are offered? Any place I should avoid?

[MtDon]

You are right about what Tahoe Split is. You are dealt 3 hole cards. Keep all three. Community cards dealt like Holdem. Make your hand(s) with 0, 1, or 2 of your hole cards.

I will post on Billings card rooms in the "B&M Cardrooms" forum.

Here's a brief summary:

There are at least ten card rooms in Billings right now. And there are two new card rooms scheduled to open in about a week.

All games must close before 2:00am (city law).

No high limit games. There is a state law which requires pots to be capped at $300. Most games are spread limit, either 2 - 5 or 2 - 6. There are some 3,6 and 6,12 structured limit games. Some places play pot limit certain nights of the week. Some places offer "Overs", either doubling the limits, or playing no limit, or whatever the "overs" players want.

All the card rooms are small. Most have two tables, but usually only get enough people for one game on week nights.

Many offer Dealer's Choice (with a choice of 2 to 6 games), some only Holdem.

Here's a partial list:

2-6 indicates spread limits.
3,6 indicates structured limits

Shooters: Holdem; 2-6 M-Sat, 2-10 Sun; no overs; starts at 5:00pm, need to get there early to get a seat; Promo: extra $40 in chips for $50 buy in for first 9 players before 5:30. Has food.

Crystal: Holdem; 3,6; no Overs?; Game usually starts in the daytime, not sure if late morning or early afternoon. Sometimes breaks up and then starts again in the evening. Has limited food.

City Club: Dealer's Choice (Holdem, 7Stud High or Split or Low, Omaha Split added on Mon); 2-5; Overs; Game usually starts before 7:00pm; Has monthly No Limit Holdem tournament second Sunday of month, 2:00pm, 4 tables, $50 + $10 buy in, $25 rebuys 1st 2 hours, $25 add-on; usually fills up before 1:30pm. No food except snacks.

Riverboat: Dealer's Choice (Holdem, Omaha Hi or Split, 7Stud Hi or Split, Tahoe Split); 2-5; starts between 3:30 and 4:00pm; no Overs. Has food (good mexican resturant in casino).

Wild West: Dealers Choice (Holdem, 7Stud Hi or Split or Low, 5Stud); 2-5; not sure when it usually starts - I think around 7:00pm or later. Has food.

Doc and Eddies: Holdem; (not sure of limits, I don't play there) 6,12 and 3,6; not sure when games start - I think before noon. Overs? Has food.

-- Don

[MtDon]

I've posted more information about Billings card rooms in the "B&M Cardrooms" forum.

-- Don

[Tom Bayes]

Well, this is just off the top of my head, but it seems to me that I'd play Tahoe with largely an Omaha mindset. I think that an Ace is crucial to have and that an A2x or A3x is going to be a very good hand. You'll probably get quartered less than in Omaha, but I think it will be a bit harder to 3/4 or scoop.

Of course, I've never played Tahoe split, so this advice is suspect.

[OnDrugs]

I have played a lot of Tahoe Split8, Tahoe High Only, Hold Em Split8, Omaha Split8 (4 and 5 card). I have played some Omaha High Only (4 and 5 card), Pineapple Split8 and Pineapple High Only. All these games used to be wildly popular in Spokane and other Eastern Washington card rooms. I was informed that all but the Tahoe games were also very popular in Western Washington.

Editorial: Hold Em Split 8 and Tahoe Split8 and High Only are GREAT games. Fun. Fascinating. MUCH BETTER IMO than any form of Omaha or (gag) Pineapple. I wish these games were far more popular and widely played than they are. They deserve wide exposure and play.

My real wet dream is that Hold Em Split8 and Tahoe any form would be added to some online sites. The closest I can come now is a once in a while game of Pineapple Split8 on UB. Sigh.