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We have throughout
suggested tactics which are distinctly tight, on the assumption
that the limit is large. In this sort of game tight play is essential.
But Stud, of course, can be played with a small limit. A good system
is no ante, a one-chip limit for the first betting interval, a five-chip
limit for the next two intervals, and a ten-chip limit for the final
betting interval, if an open pair appears on the table.
With this limit you can relax the standards we have suggested, particularly
in the last stages when you may be getting good odds in chips. Bet
boldly whenever you have the best hand, and forget all about the
dangers of betting into a possible cinch. He can only raise you
back 10 chips, and that's not a very serious matter.
In this game there is only one unknown factor and that is the identity
of the hole cards, but during the course of play numerous clues
will be given. A player who stays against a real bet for a fourth
card with two low up-cards obviously has an Ace or a King in the
hole, or else he has already paired one of his up cards. A player
who, although highest showing, consistently bet small in the early
rounds probably has a pair back to back.
A tipoff which is elementary but amazingly common is that of the
player who looks again at his hole card after having been dealt
two or three up cards. This invariably means that it is something
less than a Jack, for no one is likely to forget a high card in
the hole. There is a distinct probability that the card is the same
as his last up card, and he is just checking to make absolutely
sure. The moral of this is, "Look once and for all time at
your hole card, and don't forget it."
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