Stud is dead

[MRBAA]

I finally faced the music at Foxwoods this Labor Day Monday. Sure, there were some games. But way less than in the past. And the 5-10 had several familiar faces -- even though I go to Foxwoods just four or five times a year. Sure, most of the players weren't good. but every single one was competent. Almost all were 60+ and had been playing for years. The games were okay, but not great. In one game, I was the only player under 50. In another, I was one of two. Then I went over to 4-8 he. Loads of tables. Loads of 1-2 no limit table. Loads of 5-10 half kill tables. etc. And the 4-8 games were rocking -- everyone was under 50 except maybe 2 players at a table. The pots were six to the flop for a raise. By the time I left at 1 a.m., there was one draggly game of 5-10 stud left, mostly regulars. But there were at least a half-dozen rockin' 4-8 hold'em games.

I think stud will be mostly gone from the East Coast casinos within 5 years. It will live on on the Internet, I'd guess, but I'm not sure. I still love the game. But I'm now officially a hold'em player first.