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SClipse · Pair Joined: 08 Apr 2007 Posts: 25 Location: Toronto

I was playing in a 1.25 SNG. I was opening with 3 card eights or better ( as in lower) and I got 3 card 8's 5/64 times. I'm wondering whether I'm playing too tight, or that just wasn't my day.

live4freerolls · Posted: Sun Jul 29, 2007 3:45 pm Post subject:

Sounds like it is probably standard but post some Hand Histories and we can help you out more.

aMurderofCrows · Pair Joined: 10 Jun 2007 Posts: 28

Flying_Kiwi · Posted: Sun Jul 29, 2007 10:54 pm Post subject:

It's a good idea to stick to the 3-card eights when there are people to act after you (esp showing lower cards), but say you're 2 seats right from the bring-in and there is only one person on your left showing a card higher than your door card - then complete no matter what you have in the hole.

It's good to be tight on the 8 or lower starting selection, but when you get into spots where you can steal - take it! I think a lot of people play razz like it's a bluffless game - which is completely untrue. I probably bluff more in Razz than any other game... when my upcards permit it.

spike420211 · Posted: Sun Jul 29, 2007 11:41 pm Post subject:

Flying_Kiwi · Posted: Sun Jul 29, 2007 11:46 pm Post subject:

[quote="spike420211"]

jbrennen · Straight Flush Joined: 16 Aug 2005 Posts: 422

If you're card dead, you can do two things. Try both, see which you're comfortable with...

1. Try playing smooth 9s where the 9 is hidden, but only if you think it's reasonable that you'll end up going to 4th street heads up -- if you can be first into the pot, or if you can call someone who looks like they're going to take the pot unopposed on 3rd street. In heads up Razz, a three card 9 is certainly playable.

2. Open up your position requirements for trying to steal. Instead of stealing only in late position, try stealing in middle or early position. If you're first to act with (Q-J)-A, you could try completing. Your opponents may sometimes respect the completion a bit more from early position and fold marginal hands. The fact that you've been card dead will only help you, because you should have a tight image at this point. Generally, depending on the bet structure, the steal only needs to work about 1/3 of the time to make it worthwhile.

Both of these tips depend on the table playing a bit tight. If you're at a table where you have 4 people seeing 4th street on just about every hand, just sit back and wait for a premium hand and ram it down their throats. You'll get paid off huge and have enough time (and antes) to wait for another premium hand.

aMurderofCrows · Pair Joined: 10 Jun 2007 Posts: 28

Lotta great advice here - this thread oughta be pinned!

SClipse · Pair Joined: 08 Apr 2007 Posts: 25 Location: Toronto

Are you sure it's 16.22% times that you get a 3 card eight? Because I read somewhere else, that it's like around the 13% that you would get a 3 card eight.

jbrennen · Straight Flush Joined: 16 Aug 2005 Posts: 422

It's 16.22%. Pretty basic calculation:

For your first card, there are 32 cards out of 52 that can lead to a 3 card 8 or better.
Second card, 28 cards out of 51.
Third card, 24 cards out of 50.

(32*28*24)/(52*51*50) = 896/5525 = 16.22%

Frankjones · Two Pair Joined: 10 Jun 2007 Posts: 67

someone said that the OP should have had 6 out of 64 so he is right on the money (or close to it) by getting 5/64.

I don't know why no one pointed this out, but 16.22% of 64 is Ten, not 6. so 5 is actually half as many as he should have, on average.

I did verify the math on the 16.22% and that is correct.

aMurderofCrows · Pair Joined: 10 Jun 2007 Posts: 28

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