Is playing high-only hands for value against multiple low draws with no coordination a profitable play? I would think it is, but I want to make sure it isnt a big leak.


Example:

ME - (Ks, Qs) Ac

Player 1 - (x, x) 7d
Player 2 - (x, x) 6c
Player 3 - (x, x) 10h

Player 2 brings it in, and I raise with my ace, all call and heres what happens on 4th:

ME - (Ks, Qs) Ac, Kc

Player 1 - (x, x) 7d, 2c
Player 2 - (x, x) 6c, As
Player 3 - (x, x) 10h, 3d

Now, to them it looks like I caught bad, and I'm not really threatened by any low draws that can make a straight fairly easily... so my thinking is that I need to either:

A) Pump this pot up now. Get the most from the low draws since Im a pretty big favorite to pick up the high.

Wait till 5th to pump it.


Am I right here? Or am I just one of those fish always lookin' for 1/2 the pot?

I just want to be clear on something before I provide some of my insight:

Is this Stud 8 or just Stud? Huge difference... :?

Sounds like this is Stud-8;

I'm not playing this starting hand - it's not a strong hand in Stud Hi, and it's only half as good in stud-8. Having played it, I'm not sure what the best approach on 4th is. I think I bet, call a raise, and re-evaluate on 5th.

Never did get a clarification if stud 8 or just stud. Let's assume it was stud 8:

IMO, you should bet out here. A pair of kings does not play well multi-way, and you definately do not want to give anyone a free card to get their low. If raised, call. If raised and re-raised, ewwwww. 8)

I hate high pairs in stud 8, they do not play good in games where 5 people want to see 5th street. Actually you want good low starting hands for value , hands like 345 play great when you catch a low straight and scoop a pot. Scooping 1 pot is probably better than splitting 4 or 5.

Of course constantly being on low draws is very frustrating sometimes, but profitable when you play them right.

Alright. I probably shouldnt have been in there in the first place.

yes, its stud-8 ( hence why im talking about 1/2 the pot etc ) and im familiar with proper stud-8 strategy, playing 3 suited babies, 3 to a wheel, pair hands like 8-8-2 and I know that making a low turn in to a high is alot easier than the other way around. But my question is, once I got myself in to this situation, would it be profitable to continue betting?

there is nothing wrong with playing that hand at all. You raised it up on third, but got some chasers. No problem. Bet again on fourth, see how far they want to chase. You still have a good hand. 8)