Taking Advantage of Fish in Stud
Being profitable in poker has a
lot to do with table selection, and isolating
weak opponents. In seven card stud, there is a
high ratio of weak players to good players, and
isolating them is a key to being profitable.
Weak players have distinct traits and
characteristics, here are some of them, and how
you can exploit them.
Players Playing To Many Hands
When you see a player playing
almost every hand, it’s a big indicator that
they are not strong at stud. Beyond the starting
hand, it is important to be able to pick up on
which types of hands they are playing through
the board. If you see them playing to third
street every time, then you need to pick up what
hands they are folding late in the hand. This
gives you a great advantage when you get
involved in a hand with them.
Players Not Paying Attention To
The Board
Stud is a game that requires
great attention, and if you are examining the
exposed cards and your opponent is not, then you
have a huge advantage. This allows you to play
highly aggressive when its obvious they are
drawing dead, even though they are not aware of
it because they do not see all of their outs
exposed. Punish these players.
Hand-Type Tells
This is one that is not too
common, but when you see it, it gives you a big
step ahead. You will see players mentally or
silently counting. This is usually because they
made their gut-shot straight and are making sure
they have the correct hand. When you feel like
someone is drawing like this, bet hard at them,
and make them pay to see their draw. Yes, you
will get sucked out on at times, however over
time, it will prevent them from drawing on you,
and add to your stack.
Recognize Over-Plays and Slow
Plays
New stud players over value their
hands big time. They will bet and raise with
their small pairs quite often, and you can put
them on a hand by observing the exposed cards,
and using their hand range. Early in the hand,
just call their over-play. When you make your
hand that is a sure winner, start raising, as
you are going to get paid off.
It will be hard to separate a
player over-playing a small pair, and one who is
slow playing a monster hand. If you are playing
with good starting hand requirements and playing
a tight aggressive game, you will be able to put
them on a hand without it costing you to many
bets. New players will often become nervous and
excited with a big pair, or a rolled up hand.
Watch for their reaction to the other cards in
the hand becoming exposed, as this will give you
a clue as to what’s going on. When a player
never watches the board, but is all of a sudden
highly attentive, you can be sure something is
up.
Capitalize on Tilt
Inexperienced stud players are highly
susceptible to tilt, because they are not use to
all of the variables that come into play. They
will start calling your raises with trash hands
because they are angry and see others playing
smaller drawing type hands, and figure they will
as well, however they lack the knowledge and
skill to do so. You can keep a constant monitor
on how the other players are feeling and
playing, and take full advantage of this.
