Proper ante structure.

[Duke]

So I'm firmly convinced that the ante structure in the Bellagio 40-80 stud game is horrible. $5 ante, $10 bring-in. Strategy - play no hands. I actually played a gay hand where I had a couple of aces, and was slow-playing heads up to get some more action. By 5th it became apparent that my opponent had made 2 pair so I was waiting to catch up and never did. The problem is that the opponent was a decent player who would have just pitched his hand if I had re-raised early on. He understands how small the ante structure is. It got to be frustrating to me since I feel that I incorrectly adjusted to it at least on that hand. Overcompensated, I guess.

My default stud plays are usually to call a re-raise on 3rd to see what 4th does for my hand. Usually you have enough of something to catch a good card or have your opponent catch really bad on 4th and then make a decision. But with tiny antes, I don't think you do.

I figured there might be some room for discussion of what % antes are the best for a game.

~D