The Importance of Learning Non Hold'em Games
- Published 2005-05-11
- Author Pokeraddict
Many online poker pros play strictly Texas Hold'em and swear by it. Others have branched out into the other games offered online including Omaha, Omaha high/low, Seven Card Stud, Seven Card Stud high/low, Pineapple, Pineapple high/low and Five Card Stud. Learning these games can actually improve your hold'em game. There is great benefit to these games in finding new fish. Some fish really love playing high/low because of the misconception that these games have a greater potential of breaking even, which is most fish's goal believing winning is unobtainable. Most fish play for the entertainment value and not to actually win so the less they lose the more fun they have but when someone is a fish at a high/low game they are even worse then a hold'em fish.
The biggest reason to learn non hold'em games is to prevent burnout. Playing high/low can especially prevent this burnout. Part of the burnout issue is the repetition of the same game. Spending ten hours a day playing the same game will lead to a total burnout in the long run. Playing a stud or other non holdem game once a week will greatly decrease your chances of a major burnout while still adding to your weekly take.
Most poker players understand the concept of seven card stud but yet never play it. Counting cards is a must for a stud player. It is very important to know your outs, or cards that you need to make your hand, are still in the deck. In high/low this is even more important. A hand that can make a low and a straight or flush can scoop big pots. Even low trips, a low or two pair can make a big hand. The strategies in stud high only are much different then high/low. I recommend learning the high/low stud before high only. The risk/reward is much greater in high/low. Too many high only hands never make past fourth street and draws are usually not worth chasing in high only.
Omaha can be another great game to learn, especially high/low. Omaha is dealt very similar to Texas Hold'em except you are dealt four cards. The difference is you must use, and only use two cards from your hand, and must use and only use three cards from the window. There is a flop, turn and river just like in Texas Hold'em. Great games can always be found, especially pot limit games. Many fish will make terrible calls in pot limit, especially calls where they only have a low draw. These players may draw out on runner runner draws but over time these players can never win. Playing conservatively over the long run can add to your bankroll and help work off bonuses in fewer hands since these low chasers and high/low split pots will create more raked hands.
Pineapple is another game to learn mostly just for fun as these games usually are not at a high enough limit to satisfy most players. It is rare to find a higher limit Pineapple game, especially at Pineapple high/low. In Pineapple a player is dealt 3 cards, there is a flop just like in hold'em but after the flop a player must discard one of his three cards, then there is a flop and river. The best thing about these games is usually players are just playing for fun and it is a great deviation from the normal games that can be found. Of the major poker rooms, only Ultimate Bet and Paradise Poker offer these games.
These non hold'em games can not only prevent burnout but can also add to the skills to a seasoned hold'em player. In addition, when a player is working off bonuses these games can be very beneficial to creating raked hands that qualify towards the bonus. It can also be great fun to a player learning a new game.