[kyleb]

Sounds good since you're just getting a grasp on the game. Make sure you play in games that have low antes (PokerStars) at the low limits, otherwise you're gonna get killed by playing so tight.

Once you open up your game and feel comfortable with raising and jamming, try semi-bluffing with an ace door card when people show weakness on third street, playing big pairs (and being able to give them up easily!), and playing mid-to-high three straights (789, 678, etc).

There is no doubt that the most important facet of Stud 8/b is discipline and the ability to throw away a losing hand before it marginally improves. Stud 8/b is a game where if you make one mistake, you will then be pot-committed but still be taking the worst of it. This usually happens on fifth street, and be forewarned that sixth street is often very expensive when it's multiway.

To draw a comparison to hold 'em, it would be like calling with a gutshot straight draw when not getting the proper odds on the flop, then opening up a double gutshot on the turn. You still have to call because now you're getting the proper odds, but you created the bad situation for yourself in the first place by calling the first bet. This type of behavior deludes people into believing that they are "creating the right odds" for themselves, when in reality they are only trapping themselves ever more into throwing away money.

So - fold, fold, fold and practice discipline. You'll get the hang of it. [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]