The holdem-ization of 1-2 Party stud

MRBAA · #1 05-23-2005, 02:07 PM

I recently cashed out and left myself just $500. I knew this was a bit tight, but I'd been running good and figured I'd be back up to $1,000 in no time.

Or maybe not. Playing one table of 3-6 stud and one of 2-4 he, I managed to lose $450 last Thursday. Combo of a bunch of unlikely losses (lost three flush over flush $100+ stud pots within an hour) and perhaps a wee bit o' the old tilt. Anyway, I decided to punish myself by playing two tables of 1-2 stud with my remaining $50, starting with $25 on each, and see if I could build back up.

I hadn't played 1-2 in awhile and I was immediately struck by the fact that there are more good players. Used to be I could play for a couple hours and NEVER see anyone I'd consider to be a really solid player. No more. Just as in the little hold'em games, many of the 1-2 stud games feature a couple of really good players mixed in with the fish. I think this is a sign that stud is getting more popular, more players are getting in and staying in. So while there are more fish, there are also a core group of good players.

I've had several interesting heads-up matches.

btw, in case anyone was concerned for the health of my b/r, I've worked it up to $450 so far. I'll move back to 3-6 when I get to $750 this time, to make sure I have a cushion (unless I see a $60+ avg. pot size, in which case I may risk a buy in). And I'm eyeing the $5-10 games -- but mostly I see lstream sitting in games with avg. pot sizes around $40, so I haven't really been tempted as yet.

count1 · #2 05-23-2005, 02:31 PM

Yes I agree with you. I have noticed this also. The games are tougher and harder to beat. I did quite well for about a month, but I have found the players are more observant of your play and I can't remember the last time I played in a game with a total "fish".

MRBAA · #3 05-23-2005, 02:36 PM

Well, I still think the games are very beatable, but it's notable that there are some other solid players where there were very few before. Someone like lstream, who has now plays 5-10, was struggling to beat 1-2 just a few months back. That's really a common thing you see in the HE forums, where a poster will be bitching about tough 2-4 games one month, then playing four 5-10 6-handed tables a couple months later. I think this can only be a good sign for stud, because for every new solid player you can probably figure at least 10 bad ones are giving stud a try.

CJC · #4 05-23-2005, 02:37 PM

Hi Bud,

I know I haven't posted in like, well forever.. [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] Sorry I didn't make it up to FW for the signing, but I have been swamped with the new job.

Anywhoo, I have actually started playing on a more consistent basis lately. Was reading your post and it made me chuckle. I reloaded one of my online accounts last week with a whopping 50 bucks.. ( don't ask.. I was board and didn't have much in my account that actually works with gaming ).. One week later........ I have $1200 bucks. [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

Online Stud games are great if you ask me.

Later,

CJ

P.S. - I am not advocating using the strategies I applied in gaining that much money in such a short time. Just though MRBAA would like to hear from me again, plus it was relevant to the discussion.

How is everyone by the way??

MRBAA · #5 05-23-2005, 02:46 PM

Hey CJ -- you missed a good day. Must have signed 50 books, had a great crowd, JoeTall and other 2+2ers were there. Even got in some stud. I'll be at Fox again on Sat. June 25 -- probably arriving around 5 and staying 'til 1 or so. If you can make it, let me know. And yes, online stud games are very good. Despite my small setback, b/r is in shape for a juicy 10-20 stud game if one is available at the Fox.

lstream · #6 05-23-2005, 03:02 PM

[ QUOTE ]
but mostly I see lstream sitting in games with avg. pot sizes around $40

[/ QUOTE ]

The average pot size thing stopped me from playing 5/10 for quite a while. I have become less fussy about this, and instead focus on the players at the table. If there is someone I really like playing against, then I will give the table a try. If things don't work out well, then I move on after a while. Quite often, I find the table moves from $40 averages to $60+.

A couple of months ago, I played a fair bit of 1/2 and I agree - there were some pretty decent players there. The odd thing I am finding is that of the 1/2, 3/6, and 5/10 games, I find the 5/10 the easiest of them all. This could be beginners luck at these tables, though since I have only about 1 month of experience though. However - MRBAA we seem to think alike in quite a few hand examples - I bet you would enjoy and and beat the 5/10 game.

MRBAA · #7 05-23-2005, 03:26 PM

Well, when the b/r gets back to $1,500 or so, I just may give it a try. The 3-6 games have generally been very good -- and I do notice that some of the same players (and not just the good ones) also play 5-10.

CJC · #8 05-23-2005, 03:37 PM

Hi,

The 25th looks good on the calandar so far. Letme know as we get closer.. ( so easy to say that now that I have weekends off.. [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] )

CJ

Hauser_III · #9 05-23-2005, 02:59 PM

[ QUOTE ]
So while there are more fish, there are also a core group of good players.

[/ QUOTE ]

I think it was inevitable that this happened. Get enough people talking about how many fish there are at Party, and eventually enough good people will show up to take advantage of the fish. I've been at $33 SNG's lately that are just rock gardens, and I'm starting to feel like a guppy sometimes.

DeadMoneyOC · #10 05-23-2005, 03:11 PM

People are getting bored with Hold'em. I cant speak for the games at PP but on PS yesterday I played a .5-1 Stud8 game for awhile, got bored and decided to jump in this 2-4 game. The 2-4 game was much better than the .5-1 game. I hit'n'run the 2-4 game and went back to the .5-1 game. It was very weird. On a related note I play a lot of Hold'em SNGs on PokerRoom and I have found that the 10s,20s are usually way too tight/solid and really not very profitable. I step up and play the 30s, 50s and its all maniacs who try to bluff you off your nuts. It is really quite strange. My friend who plays the same games agrees with me so its wasnt just some strange tuesday night this happened.

By no means are any of these low limit games bad but it just seems as the higher-low limit games are more profitable. I guess there are a lot of people out there trying to learn the game and bulid some BR.