Kings not strong in loose Stud/8 games

betgo · #1 10-17-2005, 09:33 PM

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 · #2 10-17-2005, 09:53 PM

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

betgo · #3 10-17-2005, 10:02 PM

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

betgo · #4 10-18-2005, 09:41 AM

I guess this was kind of basic. Sometimes I feel pretty funny when there will be a bring in and 2 limpers and someone will complete with a jack showing and I will fold split kings. I know the books say kings don't play well 3-way. So I guess they definately don't play well 5-way. I find I tend to lose with high hands in these kinds of games.

pipes · #5 10-18-2005, 11:15 AM

[ QUOTE ]
I guess this was kind of basic. Sometimes I feel pretty funny when there will be a bring in and 2 limpers and someone will complete with a jack showing and I will fold split kings. I know the books say kings don't play well 3-way. So I guess they definately don't play well 5-way. I find I tend to lose with high hands in these kinds of games.

[/ QUOTE ]

If my cards are live, I would probably reraise this.

I usually play 10/20 half kill, but its relatively loose. Usually though you will get rid of the bring in and one of the limpers.

Playing a pot against a worse high hand and one low hand is a good situation.

Bremen · #6 10-18-2005, 01:08 AM

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

mscags · #7 10-18-2005, 01:24 AM

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

[/ QUOTE ]

Bremen · #8 10-18-2005, 02:10 AM

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

Notorious G.O.B. · #9 10-18-2005, 05:14 AM

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

Bremen · #10 10-20-2005, 12:06 AM

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

[/ QUOTE ]
Yes, to be fair I was. Trips are always worth playing as are 2 aces with a baby. However things like aces with a high card really aren't as good as many people think. Remember, we're assuming a loose game, people typically aren't folding 3rd for any number of raises.