$1/$2 vs. "Straight $2"

[Warik]

At the local cardroom they only have Hold'em 1/2 and Hold'em "Straight 2" where Straight $2 means that there is no small bet of $1. It costs $2 to see the flop, $2 to see the turn, and of course, $2 for the river and post-river betting rounds. Raises go in increments of $2.

Is this game better to play in than a $1/$2 game given that most players in this cardroom are very loose and very passive?

How would one need to adjust his strategy to clean up here?

[Warik]

Anybody?

[jstnrgrs]

I think this game would be worse for a good player because with the smaller bets or the turn and river (relative to the pot size), calling would be correct more frequently. Since most of your opponents will be calling frequently, they will be making fewer mistakes in this game. Fewer mistakes by your opponents means a less profitable game for you. I would stick to the standard game.

[JohnShaft]

Actually trying to quickly rap my head around this I think it's the opposite.

Because the bet size doesn't double on the Turn and River hands that are behind on the Flop are getting reduced Implied odds to play on.
This means that straight and flush draws are less valuable, trying to spike two pair to suckout on your opponents Big PP is less profitable.
Chasing as a whole has reduced odds and is lower EV.

This seems like a more profitable game for a tighter player playing a Big Card game.

Of course I'm not really factoring in the looseness of the opponents, but just comparing it to the same game with the same opponents. Looser opponents make it less likely that you'll win with one pair, but I still think I'd take my chances.

That's a quick minutes thought on the subject (I've never played in non-normal games, not even Spread). Someone else with more experience/nouse may be able to correct me on the matter.

[harboral]

The problem with this game is that you are unable to protect your good hands against draws. In a regular game when you flop top pair and there are two flush cards or two straight cards out, you will get calls. When the turn card comes and the bet is doubled, it may not be Pot-odds wise to call and if you can get in a raise you will get the drawing hands out. However, in this game, when the turn comes there will be high enough pot odds for all draws - and for pocket pairs to take another card - You will see a lot of back-door flushes and straights - players with a single suited Ace and King taking down pots when two runners come on the turn and river, and players spiking the river to make a set or to fill-up - and they are not playing bad, just taking advantage of good odds. If you are one of those players that hates losing with AA or KK, don't play this game because they hold-up only rarely - and since the bet is not double on the turn and the end you won't make anymore with them than in a regular game. Also - there will almost always be a call on the river!

[AJo Go All In]

this sounds like the seminole indian casino (?)

as for cleaning up, the rake is high enough to make it not worth playing if your aim is to make money.

[slavic]

Implide odds go down. So things like small pairs go down in value. The any 2 suited players should get killed in this game.

The rake at 2/2 or 1/2 almost has to be equal to the blinds so I don't think it's a beatable game.

[FredJones888]

the seminole casinos in fl are $1/$2 but some of the dog tracks are straight $2.