Help with variation of 7stud/8OB...

[manku]

My home game, 8 players, we now have started playing seven card stud, 8ob for low and TRIPSob for high. Should no players have it at showdown, you play new games until someone wins or all but one player folds (highly unlikely, unless someone has trips showing). BTW, this is a dealers choice game - I always choose variations of Omaha.

Question: How does this change starting hand requirements? Obviously, wired trips go way up in value. But what about say, (K-K)Q with no ace showing. Should one not play it because you need the third K?

I've read Ray Zee's book on hilo, but this particular variation isn't covered.

Thanks.

Manku

[J5983]

You should play it like a razz game. Trips or better is ugly. Does a low scoop if there is no high?

[Klak]

what happens if there is a lo but no high?

[manku]

lo scoops...if no low, high scoops. if everyone folds except one player, game is over (player not required to show hand).

we probably play this game once every 10 hands or so, and amazingly, we've never had to deal more than twice.

manku

[Klak]

yeah id dump any pair and just play razz, since the chance for the hi to scoop is so miniscule, play for the lo.

[Andy B]

I think this is a bad idea, as the qualifier's whole reason for being is neutralized. The qualifier came about because low hands are too powerful in a game with no declaration and no qualifier. In this game, low hands go back to being too powerful. Two pair is an OK qualifier if you feel the need to go that route. Trips is too high.

Offhand, I don't know if any pair could be playable, because it's just so hard to make trips or better. Certainly, you can't be playing a pair of Kings. Ace-Ace-baby or pocket Sevens with a baby in the door or something like that might be playable, I don't know. Low straight and flush possibilities are even more valuable than usual, as are rolled-up trips, of course.

I'm unclear on this--if no one qualifies, does everyone get dealt in the next hand?

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