Vegas 1-5 vs. 2-6 & 5-10 stud

I make it out to Vegas about once a year. When I've gone in the past, I've only ever played 1-5 Stud (that's all I do aside from sleeping and eating, maybe a few minutes at craps). Usually I buy in with $100, and that can last me for an 8 hour session, after which I am typically up or down about $25-$50 (usually down). I am a reasonable, tight player, but suffer from lack of practice, so I do make a lot of amateur mistakes, especially when it comes to betting strategy. I've played mostly at the Monte Carlo, and find that the 1-5 stud tables are mostly filled with very tight locals and/or pensioners who are difficult to win against.


My question is, how do the 2-6 and 5-10 games (even at other casinos) compare? Are there more loose (bad) players at these games? Is it easier to make money at these games? Should I try switching to Hold'Em? (My feeling is that my lack of practice will hurt me more at the Hold'Em table than at stud.)


Finally, what's a decent buy-in amount for an eight hour session of 2-6 stud, 5-10 stud, or, say 3-6 Hold'Em? Will 20-40 BB typically be enough for a tight but amateur player?

If I recall correctly, the Monte Carlo $3 plus $1 for a bad beat jackpot, even when the pot was only $30. 5-10 or 10-20 at places like the Mirage are a much better deal. I too found the games at Monte Carlo Extremely tight, and found the games at Mirage and Bellagio at higher limits much easier to beat.

If you haven't played hold 'em, the learning curve will cost a bit.


$100 should be enough of a stake for 1-5 most times. A really bad run of cards could cost you a second buy-in. I usually buy in for about 20 big bets.


Good luck


D

DJ, thanks for the reply.


I hear the Luxor and Excalibur have really bad players, but (a) the rakes are largeish and (b) too many bad players in a game is not necessarily a good thing. I will certainly try out Bellagio and/or the Mirage. Hopefully you guys will not get my money.