Poker Perambulation

It was the $50K HORSE that set a lot of people on the path to the world beyond Texas Hold’em. That did it for me. I never really got a handle on the high-low side of the game. Or if I somewhat did, I wasn’t enamored with it that much. I guess it plays with my mind more than I like.

But HORSE is a great game and I enjoyed it. You can play it cheap on Ultimate Bet and close to that on FT. Bit more pricey on Stars where the lowest level is .50-1. I started learning it on UB at .10-20. My Omaha was more in the PL high area before that.

After a while, I gravitated to StudHi. I’d found myself most comfortable playing that. When I made the move, I found the play very similar. And, I thought the play on Stars was weak enough that I could win a bit on a regular basis.

I keep notes. Not great one like JB tries to do; but, decent and observational. That brought me to the realization that there is a lot of turnover in the low limit games. People show up with a Holdem mindset and never seem to get rid of it. Loose cannons and calling stations abound. Even if you don’t have Stud mastered, it doesn’t take a lot to get ‘good enough’ for most games.

I’ve really gravitated to the ring side. Early on I’d really played SnG games mostly. Tournaments too. But, constant blind structures are an amazing change to one’s mindset. When we get around that idea, we can really develop a game. Or at least one that’s closer to ‘good poker’ – however you wish to define that.

I’ve got a bit more money on Stars to try to move up. Played a fairly long session there this morning – I play most early in the day. Lot of ‘furiners’ playing then. Or, maybe I’m the foreign one at that time of day.

There was only one .50-1 game going, so I sat at the old level for a fairly full session. Got down almost a buyin early. I chipped it up and then started the recovery process. Stud seems to often work either that way or killing early and then returning to normal and bleeding it back down. Stud does have variance. It idea often isn’t to win a lot as much as it is to not bleed a lot. That goes over the head of most. You want to be healthy or close to that when you find that rush.

So, I double up finally and left. Headed for the .50-1 table to see if I could play it as well. Same story with down a bit at the start. You play a few completions or 4st bets with a draw and the brick on the next hand makes you fold and eats a bit of the stack. That something you live with. What you can’t do is be a consistent calling station. They abound and that the juice that makes you drool. Anyway, I made 15 BB there and the stack is up to $245. It’d be nicer but Sunday was a pay back day with ratty cards the whole session.

If you haven’t given Stud in one of its forms a go, take a read in our articles. JB did some nice starter stuff. It isn’t a hard game to pick up at a level that you can play an adequate game at. And, there are some really cheap games on Stars and such that can let you experiment and still not drop enough to not super-size your next lunch. It is a game that keeps you awake. Even if the cards don’t come as often as you’d like there is still action to observe and notes to take.

There is a world beyond Hold’em and you might enjoy it. I am (or should be) a better Hold’em player after that many hands but I find the challenge to be a most enjoyable one playing Stud. And, you might run into Linda or Glenda at those tables. If you are playing on Stars and see me (I’m Ken.P there) give a shout and I’d be happy to drop to a fun level with you or whatever. Maybe we can help out each others game.

There is one other reason: It is the only place left on earth that I’m considered the young guy.

Current Stars balance: 248.86

ADDENDUM:

Would you buy a used car from this gentleman?

I think he could use the business. He’s lost weight. Hope it isn’t from having to miss meals.

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If you haven’t visited Iggy lately, stop by. He on a rant and it is one more should be paying attention to. The UIGEA has really screwed things up. How many’s right can they trample and put in jeopardy to protect a minority that are still gambling and always will?

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While walking down the street one day a US senator is tragically hit by a truck and dies. His soul arrives in heaven and is met by St. Peter at the entrance. “Welcome to heaven,” says St. Peter. “Before you settle in, it seems there is a problem. We seldom see a high official around these parts, you see, so we’re not sure what to do with you.”

“No problem, just let me in,” says the man.

“Well, I’d like to, but I have orders from higher up. What we’ll do is have you spend one day in hell and one in heaven.Then you can choose where to spend eternity.”

“Really, I’ve made up my mind. I want to be in heaven,” says the senator.

“I’m sorry, but we have our rules.”

And with that, St. Peter escorts him to the elevator and he goes down, down, down to hell. The doors open and he finds himself in the middle of a green golf course. In the distance is a clubhouse and standing in front of it are all his friends and other politicians who had worked with him. Everyone is very happy and in evening dress. They run to greet him, shake his hand, and reminisce about the good times they had while getting Rich at the expense of the people. They play a friendly game of golf and then dine on lobster, caviar and champagne. Also present is the devil, who really is a very friendly guy who has a good time dancing and telling jokes. They are having such a good time that before he realizes it, it is time to go. Everyone gives him a hearty farewell and waves while the elevator rises. The elevator goes up, up, up and the door reopens on heaven where St. Peter is waiting for him.

“Now it’s time to visit heaven.”

So, 24 hours pass with the senator joining a group of contented souls moving from cloud to cloud, playing the harp and singing. They have a good time and, before he realizes it, the 24 hours have gone by and St. Peter returns.

“Well, then, you’ve spent a day in hell and another in heaven. Now choose your eternity.”

The senator reflects for a minute, then he answers: “Well, I would never have said it before, I mean heaven has been delightful, but I think I would be better off in hell.”

So St. Peter escorts him to the elevator and he goes down, down, down to hell.

Now the doors of the elevator open and he’s in the middle of a barren land covered with waste and garbage. He sees all his friends, dressed in rags, picking up the trash and putting it in black bags as more trash falls from above. The devil comes over to him and puts his arm around his shoulder.

“I don’t understand,” stammers the senator.”Yesterday I was here and there was a golf course and clubhouse, and we ate lobster and caviar, drank champagne, and danced and had a great time. Now there’s just a wasteland full of garbage and my friends look miserable. What happened?”

The devil looks at him, smiles and says, “Yesterday we were campaigning. Today you voted.”

This entry was posted on Monday, January 28th, 2008 at 3:16 pm and is filed under Poker Thoughts. Responses are currently closed, but you can trackback from your own site.