Our weekly game has been running for about 15 years. We started with nickels, dimes and quarters in a dealers choice that was usually hold'em or stud. A lot has changed over the years. Some has been natural, like replacing change with chips. Like increasing chip values to 50 cents and a dollar. Like adding to our game repertoire. Like having the dealer ante 5 chips to eliminate the "somebodies always light" annoyance.
But some of the changes were by design and came after some group discussion. One crafted change was to introduce the mixed game deal. This is patterned after the old HORSE tournaments, where each time the game changed, it was dealt all the way around the table. In the mixed game approach you can get a little game rhythm going, a little more strategic in your thinking because you stay with a game variation a little while. We still play dealer's choice but alternate the format weekly, which keeps the regular get together fresher.
Another calculated change was to move from a flat bet structure to a spread limit. Now a player can bet or raise anywhere from 1-5 chips at anytime. It's hard to defend your hand, or build a pot strategically when all you can do is bet or raise a chip.
I out lined some of the game venues that I've found in neighborhood games at Poker Night Tonight
Showing posts with label poker variation. Show all posts
Showing posts with label poker variation. Show all posts
Monday, June 13, 2016
Tuesday, May 24, 2016
Poker Variation, Roll Your Own
3 Card Stud
This is a neat little 3 card stud game. So many of the Dealer's Choice variations seem to have big community card boards which result in lots of big hands. It's nice to play a game where there is no chance of a full house!
I first encountered it as a sub in an established low limit game. It seemed too tight, in that small pot venue, but I've grown to appreciate its subtleties of play. I've since introduced it in other neighborhood game venues with higher limits and it's been well received.
The Play
It's essentially 3 card stud, where you roll your own up cards. It's generally played as a Hi Lo split pot game, but could be High only, or Lo only (a really twisted Raz game.) With only 3 cards, the nut Lo is A,2, 4. This HubPage describes the deal and play with pictures. Read it and come back.
Strategy
Since your hand is never more than 3 cards, two of them exposed, you are playing pretty naked. The lay of the up cards is pretty situational, so watch out for bluff situations or opportunities. Some times a good board read can lead to a "no contest" win. For example, everybody looks Lo and you can represent High.
Some, very few, hands can look High and Lo at the same time, which is strong to the table, and gives you an extra hidden option to buy a new down card. For example Down, 3,4 can look like a great Lo (A, 3,4) and a weak straight (3,4,5.) If you have a brick down, like a Jack, you can hold the Jack and bluff, buy a new down card, and improve or bluff.
As in any poker game, letting the table draw free, invites a suck out!
This is a neat little 3 card stud game. So many of the Dealer's Choice variations seem to have big community card boards which result in lots of big hands. It's nice to play a game where there is no chance of a full house!
I first encountered it as a sub in an established low limit game. It seemed too tight, in that small pot venue, but I've grown to appreciate its subtleties of play. I've since introduced it in other neighborhood game venues with higher limits and it's been well received.
The Play
It's essentially 3 card stud, where you roll your own up cards. It's generally played as a Hi Lo split pot game, but could be High only, or Lo only (a really twisted Raz game.) With only 3 cards, the nut Lo is A,2, 4. This HubPage describes the deal and play with pictures. Read it and come back.
Strategy
Since your hand is never more than 3 cards, two of them exposed, you are playing pretty naked. The lay of the up cards is pretty situational, so watch out for bluff situations or opportunities. Some times a good board read can lead to a "no contest" win. For example, everybody looks Lo and you can represent High.
Some, very few, hands can look High and Lo at the same time, which is strong to the table, and gives you an extra hidden option to buy a new down card. For example Down, 3,4 can look like a great Lo (A, 3,4) and a weak straight (3,4,5.) If you have a brick down, like a Jack, you can hold the Jack and bluff, buy a new down card, and improve or bluff.
As in any poker game, letting the table draw free, invites a suck out!
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