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7 Card Stud Hi-Lo & Razz Poker

February 19, 2010

7 card stud hilo and Razz poker are the least popular amongst the big 5 poker games. At the major rooms like Stars and Tilt though there are thousands of players at the Stud HL and Razz tables. These two games require a lot of skill, especially Razz poker. If you are interested in learning how to dominate the ring tables for these two games you will have to study. I have added some links below that will be helpful:

• Stud HiLo Strategy
• Razz Strategy

Most of us have experience playing 7 card Stud poker so you should at least know that basic format of these games. The objectives differ only slightly but that makes all the difference in the world. In Stud Hilo you want the highest hand and/or the lowest hand, just like in Omaha Hilo. To qualify for the low hand in Stud Hilo your hand must be 8 or less.

Razz poker on the other hand is a true lowball game. The player with the lowest hand wins. It doesn’t matter if I have quad Aces, if you have a Royal flush I will win. There is no requirement for the low and straights and flushes do not count.

How To Play 2-7 Triple Draw

December 31, 2009

The first thing you need to know before you ever sit down at the table is how the game is played and which hands are the best. Although 2-7 Triple Draw may seem very similar to any other game of Poker, there are many differences between it and any other game. 2-7 Triple Draw is a low ball game which means that instead of looking for the best hand, you are actually looking for what would normally be considered the worst hand, but in this instance is the best. In many low ball games, straights and flushes do not count, however, in 2-7 Triple Draw they actually count against you as you are looking for the worst hand. Another rule to keep in mind is that Aces are always high when playing 2-7 Triple Draw, so if you find one in your hand, be sure to discard it if there is another drawing round.

As the name indicates, there will be 3 draws. The top 2-7 triple draw hand is 23457. This game is only available at a few online poker rooms and only one of them offers decent traffic, Pokerstars. The 2-7 Triple Draw action at Poker Stars in 2010 is roughly 300% higher than it was in 2009. This can be explained by the addition of 8-Game Mix in Pokerstar’s mixed game line-up. Mixed game players are falling in love with 27 Triple Draw and are plying their skills at the ring tables which boast around 200 real money players during the busy hours.

Primer on Drawing in Seven Card Stud

November 17, 2009

There are two starting hands in seven card stud that will put you in a situation where you will have to draw to make a complete hand: Three cards to a flush or three high cards to a straight. You’re a smart Stud Poker player so we know that you only would consider playing three low cards to a straight when the situation was right! Deciding whether or not to play these hands and when to continue on are both important and tricky skills to learn. In this article we will cover some bullet points on drawing situations that should help improve your game:

• Don’t get tunnel vision when you are first learning the game. Whether or not you play three to a flush or three to a straight depends greatly on the other up cards in play. If more than two of the cards you need are already on the board you are at a severe disadvantage in terms of completing your hand. Only enter the pot when your drawing hands are live and you are in a good position to win. A live hand is one where none of the cards you need are currently visible in play.
• The first card you get when drawing is critical. If you get the card you need, you should continue on in the hand and keep an increasingly strong eye on your opponents possible holdings. If your card doesn’t come then you have a decision to make. If you picked up a secondary card that say gives you a pair or expands your drawing possibilities, then perhaps you can continue on. If however you completely miss, or to make matter worse, some of the cards you need are now in play, then you definitely should bow out of the hand.
• Keep an eye on the size of the pot and your opponents up cards. Even in situations where your draw is panning out you need to be conscience of what the odds are that you will complete the hand. Just because your cards are coming doesn’t mean the pot odds are correct to continue. Similarly you have to be careful with straights in seven card stud. They are eaten alive by full houses and flushes. Its okay to throw away a hand like this when you feel a strong opponent has you beat.

Sic Bo Rules & Tips

October 2, 2009

Sic Bo is an ancient and traditional dice game that has been played since ages in china and has spread out and become popular throughout the world in the last few years. Most of the best online casinos and gaming websites today offer Sic Bo to be played online. Sic Bo is played with three dices and the objective of the game is to predict the outcome of the three dice. Players need to bet on the outcome and when the dice are rolled the players can win if the outcome is right.
Some of the basic guidelines and rules of playing the game are as listed below:

Players can choose from a small or big Sic Bo bet. If the total of the dice is from 4 to 10 the players win the small bet and if the total is from 11 to 18 the player can win the big bet.

In the Sic Bo number bet, the player can bet on one particular number from 1 to 6 and the player can win the bet depending on how many times that particular number appears on the dice.

Players can also place a bet on any of the two number combinations of numbers from 1 to 6.

In the Sic Bo total bet the player can bet on the total sum of the three dice.

The payouts of the Sic Bo will vary according to the type of bet placed. For a Sic Bo small and big bet the payout is 1:1. In a number bet if your chosen number shows up two times you win twice the money, thrice the amount of bet if it shows up three times and so on. In a Sic Bo pair bet the payout can be up to 5 times the original bet. And in the total bet the payout will depend upon the total of the number betted upon, it can be anywhere from 6:1 to 60:1.

Sic Bo is a fairly simple game but as is the nature of this game it is entirely dependent on luck. However few tips that are listed below can help you win your bets at this fun game:

If you are new at Sic Bo it is recommended that you stick to low payout bets where the payouts are 1:1. Starting off new and betting at higher payout games is not advisable since the odds are too high at winning.

While betting on small or big Sic Bo bets it is better to stick to totals of 9, 10, 11 and 12. Even though the payout is small for these numbers the probability of their winning is quite high.

If you really wish to earn lots of money at one go place a bet on a three of a kind bet like 2-2-2 or 6-6-6. Even though the chances of winning are very less this can be tried out. The payout for a three of a kind win is 180:1 which is a very high payout and worth the risk.

Online Casino Games - Craps

September 23, 2009

Craps is a very popular online casino game both on the internet and at live casinos. I personally think craps is one of the most complicated online casino games. It is certainly complicated at a live casino as well but at least then you can ask the attendant or the other players if you have a question. Every online casino that offers this game provides easy access to craps related content like rules and strategy though. In this article I will explain the basic rules of craps for online play.

Craps is a casino game that uses dice and a custom built gaming table. When you play at a live casino there are several rules relating to how the dice must be handled/thrown. Since this article is focused on online play these rules do not come into play but I just wanted to make you aware of this fact incase you find yourself playing craps at a brick and mortar casino.

Playing craps at an online casino is much different than playing at a live casino. One big difference is that you are playing by yourself. You won’t be able to have a pretty young lady blow on the dice for luck.

The First Roll In Craps

When you start a game of craps the initial roll is called the “come out roll”. There are several ways to bet in craps. I have provided a list of these betting options below:

• Pass
• Don’t Pass
• Come
• Don’t Come
• Odds Bet
• Place Bet
• Field Bet
• Proposition Bet

if you make a pass bet and the roll is 7 or 11 you will win your bet. If the dice equal 2, 3 or 12 you will lose your bet. Dont bets are basically reverse. You will lose with 7 or 11 and win with 2 or 3. If the dice equal 12 you will tie.

27 Single Draw Strategy

September 17, 2009

Since 27 single draw has become a popular poker game at Poker Stars, many people of all experience levels have been visiting the site for great entertainment playing against many other players from all over the world.  Not only does Poker Stars have more players than any other site, they also have the best promotions and bonuses that no other poker site online can come close to matching.  Because 27 single draw has increased in popularity, below are five strategies that will help any level of player to help them win and continue to the game.

Bluffing In 2-7 Single Draw

Bluffing is an art form, as many experienced poker enthusiasts will freely admit.  Because of this, bluffing shouldn’t be habitual, but well-thought out.  If you’re a player who bluffs often, your bluff will often fall on deaf ears, much like the “little boy who cried ‘wolf’”.  Space your bluffing out – especially if you’re bluffing amongst players who you’re familiar with and who you play with frequently. Inversely, if you’re the “resident” bluffer – this may also work to your advantage in certain situations; as an example, when you have a really good hand, it might be assumed by other players that you are bluffing when you bet aggressively – so they’re more likely to hang in with you until the end – and you can scoop their chips! Also, it is unwise to bluff against players that typically call their hands.  This by far is the biggest and most common mistake players make in 27 single draw.  The key here is to use sound judgment, and NOT bluff for the sake of bluffing.

Don’t Stay

Players often make a mistake of justifying the need to stay in the game after they have “called” because they have a lot of money in the pot. If your hand has become weak or you see that you’re not going to win, just consider your money a donation that you’ll win back later! Staying in when you know that your hand is less likely not to win than to take home the pot is just plain foolhardy, no matter how much you have seeded the pot before that realization came to mind.

7-Game Poker Rules

August 29, 2009

Since 7 Game Poker is a combination of 7 different poker games, for a beginner trying to keep up and understand the rules can be quite confusing. Each of the games in 7 Game Poker is played ten times before the players move towards the next game in the set. Since there are seven differing poker games, here is a quick set of rules of each on how to play. This game is only available at Full Tilt Poker.

Holdem Fixed Limit

Holdem Fixed Limit is the first set in 7 Game Poker.

• Players are dealt their pocket card face down.
• The first betting round begins.
• Each player may either fold, raise, check, or even call their hand at this time.
• The betting in this game is set to the advance level. If you play on a $5/$10 table, the max that you can bet on for round one and two is $5 and the last two of the rounds are played at $10.
• Raises and bets are the same where the max is $5 for the beginning two rounds and $10 for the last two rounds.
• The small blind bets at $5 and the big blind is at $10.

Seven Card Stud High/Low Fixed Limit

• This game set of 7 Poker Mix is played with an ante and five rounds of betting.
• In the beginning of the game, players will be dealt two cards facedown, four cards face up, and a face down river card.
• Before receiving the opening three cards, the players must ante.

The player with the lowest card on their porch will initiate the betting at only one half of the low bet. Each of the subsequent rounds are started by the card player that has the best hand.

• Rounds one and two are bet at the lower limits and the last two rounds are bet at the higher limits.
• Aces can be either low or high, which depends on the hand that you are constructing.
• Players can combine any of the five cards to make their best low or high hand.

Razz Fixed Limit

Razz is the same play as seven card stud; however, the low hand will win.

• All players must ante before the initial deal.
• A bet must be placed at the low limit after the beginning deal.

All bets must equal the lower limit during round one and two of play, while the remaining rounds are bet at the high limit.

If you run out of cards in the deck, the dealer will deal out a community card to the middle of the table, where all players can use it for their hands.

Omaha High/Low Fixed Limit

Players work to get the best hand achievable using the two of their pocket cards and three other cards from the community spread.

• Each of the players will be dealt four cards known as pocket cards.
• The player that holds the button can begin the betting.
• The two players to the immediate left of the dealer are the small and big blind.
• The player following the big blind is first to place a bet before the “flop”.

Seven Card Fixed Limit

• Three cards are played face down and four cards are placed face up.
• The standard poker rules will apply while trying to get the best five card hand as possible.
• Five rounds of bets are available in Seven Card limit.

Texas Holdem No Limit

One of the more preferred and popular forms of poker, no limit Texas Holdem is often played less than the limit of regular Holdem.

• Players will receive two pocket cards at first, then five cards will be dealt to the middle of the table to be used as community cards.
• There is only one small blind and one big blind during game play.
• The bet for Big blind is usually 1% of the buy in for the game.

Omaha Pot Limit

Pot limit Omaha, also known as PLO is one of the tougher games in 7-Game poker in my opinion. Below are some basics rules for PL Omaha.

• All players will use two cards from their own hand and use three cards out of the community spread.
• Omaha pot limit will have a small and big blind, where only those players can make bets before the cards are dealt to them.

If a player(s) run out of betting chips before the game ends, then they are referred to as “all in.” The pot is then divided to form a side pot where that player(s) have no interest in for the rest of play unless they acquire more chips.

If you enjoy variety and fast paced action, you will love the new Full Tilt 7 game poker mix. You will only find this mix at Full Tilt – so if you haven’t registered for a free account with Full Tilt, now is the time to do so.

Big 2 Poker Tips

June 14, 2009

Big 2 Poker is an interesting version of poker that has its birth in China around the beginning parts of the 1980s.  Known as a “climbing” card game, game play dictates that each player takes turns playing a higher card than the player in front of him or her.  Cards can also be played in combinations by one player.  Players also have the option of passing their turn if they cannot beat the previous player’s card in terms of value; however, players who get “caught” with cards at the end of the game must pay a penalty to the winner.  Thus, the goal of the big 2 poker game is to rid yourself of all of your cards during play.  Alternately, if players cannot get rid of all of their cards must attempt to get rid of as many cards as they can, or pay a penalty for having the cards remaining in their hand at the end of the game. So, as you can see, big 2 poker is certainly a huge twist from the traditional poker games that you might be more accustomed to playing.  Let’s have a peek at some big 2 tips for upping your game to its highest level.

Know the Rules of the Big 2 Poker Game

One of the most important factors in determining how successful you will be as a big 2 poker player is whether or not you are well adjusted to the rules of the game.  Players who expect to make money and avoid penalties in big 2 poker know the rule book that controls the game inside and out.

Practice Your Big 2 Poker Game

You may have heard this tip over and over again for games other than big 2 poker, but it is, at any rate, applicable to the big two poker success that you will see – practice, and then practice some more.  It is only through diligent and sound practice sessions that you will master and become a profitable player of any poker game, and big 2 poker is not any different.  If you cannot find an online poker room that offers big 2 on its play list, then get some poker buddies together and learn everything there is to know about big 2.  Your bankroll and your ego will thank you for it.  Practicing will allow you to form the appropriate strategies for playing big 2 like a pro, and help you learn the best ways to avoid heavy penalties along the way. These big 2 poker strategy tips will improve your game.

Selecting the Right Time to Play Your Cards

Enthusiastic big 2 poker players know that there is a time to hold onto the cards in your hand and a time to play them off onto the table.  If you have a great big 2 poker combination but play it too soon, you reveal to your opposition around the big 2 table just how close the game is to its completion. This gives your opponents a great window of opportunity that they can use to get rid of the cards that they might be holding on to.  This reduces your profit potential. You want them to be holding the biggest number of cards possible when you sneak up on them and get rid of your entire hand.

Watching Other Players’ Actions

Again, a universal poker tip that applies to big 2 poker.  Through close observation of your opponents around the poker table, you will be able to determine a number of things, the most important of which is the strength of their hand and thus, the strength of their future plays.  And being able to judge how good your fellow players’ hands are is priceless because this will allow you to begin eliminating the cards that you might have otherwise saved to play later in the game.

Avoiding Penalties

There can only be one winner in big 2 poker.  That means that you are going to lose sometimes.  When you do have to lose, however, you should learn how to avoid the stiffer penalties that are assessed in big 2 poker based on the number of remaining cards in your own hand when someone gets rid of their entire hand.  There are thresholds for penalties that you should be aware of in big 2 poker, including triple penalties for getting stuck with all of your cards.  Getting rid of four cards as soon as possible allows you to duck below the double penalty level, which is comfortable for most players.

London Lowball Poker Strategy

April 14, 2009

London lowball poker is immensely popular in England where it was first played, but has failed to prompt an international audience like its cousins, Razz and stud. London lowball is unique because unlike many games that are similar, the flush and the strait count against a London lowball hand and London lowball is a pot-limit game in most instances. Because players who enjoy and are successful at London lowball must have patience as their biggest virtue, implementing a great London lowball strategy is necessary. This poker strategy guide will help you become a better lowball poker player.

Developing Your London Lowball Strategy

There are some common London Lowball poker strategies that many of the most successful London lowball players enjoy to “up” their game to its most successful. Perhaps even more important than following a specific strategy during London lowball poker game play is learning which particular strategy works the best for your game. Perhaps the greatest strategies often involve hours upon hours of hands on play to master. London lowball is seldom offered online, which means the avid player may need to introduce the game to his poker buddies if he plans to get any quality practice time in!

Learning Which Hands Work in London Lowball Strategy

One thing that the best London lowball players have in common is the strategy of playing the most workable hand possible. To do this, London lowball players must know which hands work – which should be folded, which can be bet on, etc. The best London lowball hand is the ace-two-three-four-six hand. Wondering why there is no five in the best low hand combination of cards? Because straights count against a London lowball player’s low hand, the five would constitute a straight, thus making the hand a high one – which is the opposite of what the goal is in London lowball.

London Lowball Strategy Doesn’t Favor the Bluff

If your normal game of poker allows you to pass off a bluff often, London lowball will be a big change for you. Most of the cards that make up your London lowball hand will be visible to the other players around the table; this fact makes London lowball one of the worst possible games for pulling off an effective bluff - although it is not impossible to do so. This can be to your benefit, however, because most of the bets and raises in London lowball are sincere. You also have the advantage of being able to see the biggest part of your opponents’ hands as well, which serves to give you a better idea of what cards are remaining in the deck and what the chances are that your opponents have the hole cards they need to make a good hand (based on their porch cards).

London Lowball Strategy: Determining Which Cards are Dead

One thing that London lowball want to see (as opposed to other games) is dead cards. Pairs count again the low London lowball hand, thus making holding any pairs a big drawback. Always be observant of what cards are visible in your opponents’ hands when deciding to bet, raise, or fold. For instance, if you see two “threes” on the table or porch, and you have a three in your own hand, you can pretty much be guaranteed that you will not be dealt a three. Of course, there is always that slim chance – but as a rule of thumb, the statistics against getting the fourth three are stacked in your favor.

7 Seven Card Hi-Lo Strategy

April 8, 2009

A winning 7 Card Stud Hi-Lo Strategy is much more complex than your standard poker game strategy. Because of the way 7 Card Stud Hi-Lo often awards a split pot to two hand winners, combined with the complicated nature of Hand Development in the Low Hand, you’ll need to concentrate on several aspects of the game to apply a good 7 Card Stud Hi-Lo strategy.

For this 7 Card Stud Hi-Lo strategy, we’ll be covering some of the most important aspects of the game that will ensure minimal losses and maximum profits on the felt.

7 Card Stud Hi-Lo Strategy – Scoop the Pot

In a normal poker game, simply winning can bring in a nice profit. In 7 Card Stud Hi-Lo, however, you may be winning only half of the pot, which isn’t nearly as profitable, and, in some cases, may leave you breaking even. If you want to make a worthy profit from 7 Card Stud Hi-Lo, your ultimate goal should be to scoop the pot.

Scooping the pot means winning both the High and Low Hand; or winning the High Hand when there is no qualifying Low Hand at the table. Winning both High and Low hands will require an excellent hand. Something like A-2-3-4-5-*-* would be perfect, as the Straight hits the High Hand and A-2-3-4-5 is the best possible Low Hand in 7 Card Stud Hi-Lo.

Another great hand would be something like A-A-A-2-4-5-7. The last four cards don’t have to be exact, so long as they are all 8 or below without pairing. A-A-2-3-5-5-7 would be good as well, with two pair, Aces and Fives, plus the Qualifying Low Hand.

The second option – having no Qualifying Low Hand at the table – requires a very strong High Hand, of course. If you observe the board, you can easily determine that there is no Low Hand coming if all players are showing at least 3 cards of 9 or higher, or two cards 9 or higher and a pair (9-J-K, 9-Q-Q, etc.)

7 Card Stud Hi-Lo Strategy – High Hand First

Many novice 7 Card Stud Hi-Lo players simply don’t realize how valuable the High Hand is. Being dealt a good Low Starting Hand is not enough to move forward with. A hand like 2-3-5 should be Folded immediately. Why? Because it has absolutely no High Hand potential, and the chance of qualifying for the Low Hand is too slim to risk money on.

The Low Hand requires 5 cards of 8 and below with no pairs. You only have 7 cards coming. The odds are stacked against you. Yes, qualifying Low Hands do happen, but without a High Hand to work on, you are likely siphoning chips into a losing pot.

You must at least win the High Hand to ensure minimum losses and maximum profits – the key element to a 7 Card Stud Hi-Lo strategy (or any poker strategy for that matter).

7 Card Stud Hi-Lo Strategy – Door Cards Prevail

In the earliest stages of a 7 Card Stud Hi-Lo hand, the Door Card is the most influential aspect of the game. For instance, if you have a terrible hand, but an Ace in the Door Card position, you will appear very strong against your opponents – especially if they are all showing cards between 6 and J. Placing a good size bet or raise will incite a Fold from most players, allowing you to steal the Antes with a junk hand.

The same works in reverse with a bad Door Card. If your Hole Cards are great, like Pocket Queens, Kings or Aces, your 9 Door Card is a great way to keep your opponents dropping chips into the pot. They assume you are weak, giving you a perfect opportunity to control the pot. Check down from early position, Call from other positions, keeping as many players as possible in the pot.

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