The Stud Games

Around the beginning of 2006, I started to play some more stud games. While my stud game isn't the best, I probably play a better Stud 8/b and Razz game than just stud high. This is most likely due to my tight style of play and playing ignorant opponents more than anything else. I found some success online with these games as they are not spread too often in my local casino Occasionally, there will be a spread limit $2-$10 stud 8/b game going, but I don't like the spread limit betting structure too much. I would much rather play a fixed limit $5/$10 game with a $1 ante and a $2 bring in. I finished second in a small buy in stud 8/b and second again in another small buy in razz tournament. I felt confident in my play in these games--especially razz.

Razz is lowball variant of seven card stud. I think the simplicity of the game creates a lot of bad players just like in hold 'em. However, there are a lot of things you should consider every time you play razz. Razz is probably the easiest game in which you are playing your opponent's hand and not your own. I would recommend reading Skalansky on Razz for further study. I found I could easily exploit my razz knowledge via heads up matches. I probably win 2 for every 1 that I lose, so I have a pretty good long term idea that I can beat razz. Occasionally, I'll run into a total donkey that must think we're playing stud and make an amazing draw out. I had an opponent with K-K showing on 4th street raise me and managed to make an 8 low to beat my made 9 low on 5th street.