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Welcome back to our CardsChat Learning Series! In Part 3, we're diving deep into a crucial skill that separates the pros from the amateurs in stud poker: tracking exposed and folded cards. If you haven't checked out our previous installments, catch up here:
In stud games, information is king. Unlike hold'em, where community cards are shared, stud variants give you glimpses of your opponents' hands through their exposed cards. But here's the kicker: even folded cards can make or break your decision-making process.
Let's break down why tracking cards is easier in Razz and how you can master this skill for both games:
Razz vs Seven Card Stud: A Memory Game
Razz Simplicity
There are aspects of Razz that make it easier to track than Seven Card Stud, and make this game a good starting point for learning how to track cards. Let's take a look at the how and why:
Unless you are playing a high-low version, it is harder to track cards. Since it is not a lowball variant, this means:
Pro Tips for Card Tracking
Whether you're playing online or live, here are some strategies to keep those cards in check:
Online Hacks:
For Razz, categorize cards into
Real-World Scenario: Why Every Card Matters
Let's walk through a Seven Card Stud hand to see why tracking folded cards is crucial:
Do we need to remember everything? Not necessarily, but we can shrink the info down to key components:
The folded hands are no longer visible, but they still matter. Let's look at how:
was folded, you might think Player 2's flush odds were greater. Often times the most successful Stud player is the one who is paying attention.
By sixth street, the importance of tracked cards becomes even more apparent:
Some cards are covered in the graphic. Here is a better look at the hands above:
Hero:
Player 2:
Player 4:
Conclusion: Though we hold a pair of hidden Aces, our opponents have pairs and potential flush draws showing. The cards folded previously give us huge pieces of intel. Remember this info gives us insight that player 2 is less likely to have a pair of Jacks (given the folded Jack of Spades earlier), and a folded heart gives them one less out to the flush.
Razz Example: Simplifying the Memory Game
In Razz, the same principles apply, but with a focus on low cards.
Quick Memory Trick: Beginners can divide cards up into three groups, then remembering the number of each group that's gone:
Let's move on to Sixth Street
Hands in Play (ignoring suits, since they are irrelevant in Razz):
Hero: A238TJ
Player 2: TT24
Player 4: 269K
Player 5: 345Q
Player 6: 5677
Our memory number updates from 21 to 75 (7 wheel cards, 5 lower cards visible or folded). This quick mental math helps you gauge the likelihood of improving your hand or your opponents hitting their draws.
Consider this:
Wrapping Up
Mastering card tracking in Seven Card Stud and Razz can significantly elevate your game. It's not just about remembering cards; it's about using that information to make better decisions throughout the hand. Remember, in stud poker, knowledge isn't just power – it's profit. Happy tracking!
Stay tuned for our next installment, where we'll tackle third street strategies - when to bring it in, bet out, or fold. Don't forget to subscribe to our CardsChat Learning Poker Thread Series Index for more poker insights!
- Part 1: Seven Card Stud vs Razz: Why These Strategic Poker Variants Deserve Your Attention
- Part 2: Seven Card Stud vs Razz: Mastering the Art of Hand Selection
In stud games, information is king. Unlike hold'em, where community cards are shared, stud variants give you glimpses of your opponents' hands through their exposed cards. But here's the kicker: even folded cards can make or break your decision-making process.
Let's break down why tracking cards is easier in Razz and how you can master this skill for both games:
Razz vs Seven Card Stud: A Memory Game
Razz Simplicity
There are aspects of Razz that make it easier to track than Seven Card Stud, and make this game a good starting point for learning how to track cards. Let's take a look at the how and why:
- Focus on cards 9 and lower (Razz is a low-ball game - you need to track who has the lowest cards showing)
- Ignore suits (flushes don't count)
- Face cards are largely irrelevant
Unless you are playing a high-low version, it is harder to track cards. Since it is not a lowball variant, this means:
- Every card and suit matters
- Low cards can make straights
- High/Low variants add another layer
Pro Tips for Card Tracking
Whether you're playing online or live, here are some strategies to keep those cards in check:
Online Hacks:
- Screenshot the table at the start of each hand
- Use a notepad to jot down exposed cards - who held the cards is not important, knowing what has been folded is.
- Utilize your chip stack as a memory aid: use them to create stack of different numbers, positioning or or counting them in a way that helps you identify which cards are gone.
- Silently recite folded cards in your head as you go through each street.
For Razz, categorize cards into
Real-World Scenario: Why Every Card Matters
Let's walk through a Seven Card Stud hand to see why tracking folded cards is crucial:
Do we need to remember everything? Not necessarily, but we can shrink the info down to key components:
- Two hearts gone
- One diamond and one club gone
- Two jacks out
- Three numbered cards (9, 4, 2) exposed
The folded hands are no longer visible, but they still matter. Let's look at how:
- The folded 4♣ pairs with yours, affecting how opponents read your hand
- The folded 2♥ influences player 2's flush draw odds, but player 4 ends up with another heart
was folded, you might think Player 2's flush odds were greater. Often times the most successful Stud player is the one who is paying attention.By sixth street, the importance of tracked cards becomes even more apparent:
Some cards are covered in the graphic. Here is a better look at the hands above:
Hero:
Player 2:
Player 4:
Conclusion: Though we hold a pair of hidden Aces, our opponents have pairs and potential flush draws showing. The cards folded previously give us huge pieces of intel. Remember this info gives us insight that player 2 is less likely to have a pair of Jacks (given the folded Jack of Spades earlier), and a folded heart gives them one less out to the flush.
Razz Example: Simplifying the Memory Game
In Razz, the same principles apply, but with a focus on low cards.
Quick Memory Trick: Beginners can divide cards up into three groups, then remembering the number of each group that's gone:
- Wheel Cards (A-5): 2 are gone (ignoring our own cards)
- Lower Cards (6-9): 1 is gone
- Face Cards (10-K): 2 are gone
Let's move on to Sixth Street
Hands in Play (ignoring suits, since they are irrelevant in Razz):
Hero: A238TJ
Player 2: TT24
Player 4: 269K
Player 5: 345Q
Player 6: 5677
Our memory number updates from 21 to 75 (7 wheel cards, 5 lower cards visible or folded). This quick mental math helps you gauge the likelihood of improving your hand or your opponents hitting their draws.
Consider this:
- There are 20 wheel cards and 16 lower cards in the deck.
- Half the wheel cards are in play (7 in our opponent's hands, 3 in ours)
- Opponents having a really good Razz hand is greatly reduced.
- However- there are more than half of the lower cards still in play
- We will likely need a four, five, six, or seven to win the hand based on our strength.
Wrapping Up
Mastering card tracking in Seven Card Stud and Razz can significantly elevate your game. It's not just about remembering cards; it's about using that information to make better decisions throughout the hand. Remember, in stud poker, knowledge isn't just power – it's profit. Happy tracking!
Stay tuned for our next installment, where we'll tackle third street strategies - when to bring it in, bet out, or fold. Don't forget to subscribe to our CardsChat Learning Poker Thread Series Index for more poker insights!
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