Kings not strong in loose Stud/8 games

[betgo]

I know it is kind of standard to play a pair of kings (when you get them on third street)aggressively in Stud/8. I have found that in loose low-mid limit games, a pair of king is not that strong.

In many online tournaments, SNGs, and supersatellites, Party 2/4 and below, and the lower limit of available live games, there are frequently 3-6 players on third street.

Now some of them have may have hands the books say are unplayable, and the kings are probably the best hand. However, they don't play well multiway, where you are looking for at best half the pot. It is pretty difficult to win high if you don't improve. Plus people usually figure what you have and it is often fairly obvious when you make trips, kings up, or have straight/flush possibilities. However, it may be harder to read your opponents' hands. If there is much action and I don't improve, I generally fold, often on fourth street.

In loose games, I usually want to play low hands. If it gets folded around, I will raise on third street, but I usually limp or call a raise (if it is not made by an ace).

[DeadMoneyOC]

Welcome to the forum. Thanks for the tip [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

[betgo]

I am mostly a NLHE tournament player, so maybe my stud comments are basic.

[Bremen]

In loose stud8 games a good rule to remember is NEVER GO HIGH. Its really that simple.

[mscags]

[ QUOTE ]
In loose stud8 games a good rule to remember is NEVER GO HIGH. Its really that simple.

[/ QUOTE ]

[Bremen]

You know it occured to me after I wrote this that rolled up hands are the exception :0)

[DeadMoneyOC]

[ QUOTE ]
In loose stud8 games a good rule to remember is NEVER GO HIGH. Its really that simple.

[/ QUOTE ]

I play a lot of short handed 1-2 stud8 on PR and I can tell you that when playing the game is 4 or less people the value of big pairs goes WAY up. Especially when people will call you down with [censored] like T73. The game has been going a lot lately and it is much better than the PS, PP games. Its not even close either.

[arcticfox]

In low limit online stud/8 it is never worth completing with kings because of the fact that it rarely drives anybody out who was going to call anyway, and makes everyone chase against you. I usually limp in a multi-way pot and then get aggressive on 4th when hopefully a few of the lows brick as this usually does drive people out, but you need to be lucky with your position against the person who gets help with his low for this to work and also think about folding when someone catches an ace. Queens and below I just muck now from EP on 3rd because am sure they do not make enough money in the long-term and you may as well get involved with 345 on 3rd when everyone will stay with you to the river when you make your wheel!

[lane mcbride]

I hate kings. they're one of the toughest low limit stud8 hands to play... other factors that I think about when I'm deciding to play kings (or how to play them) are:

-the size of the ante
-the liveness of your kings
-how many aces are out/ are there any aces left to act?
-how many low cards are out/ how many low cards are left to act
-your door card (if they are concealed) which may lead your opponents to believe you are going low
-your position
-I also like to keep good track of the 5's and the suits that are folded. those low draws that make straights and flushes happen all too frequently

-lane

[Notorious G.O.B.]

I'm pretty sure you're missing a couple exceptions there, brother.