So if you're in the big blind, and get dealt xxxxA, where A is a 2, 3, 4, 5, or 7, you're gonna draw four and pray, assuming you get a free draw.

The question is the six. Sixes are bad. But are they so bad that you'd rather draw five than four keeping a six?

why would you not keep the 6?


you could still make the 2nd nuts 2 3 4 6 7!

No reason to draw 5

I only ask because in SS/2 he specifically does not mention keeping a six when drawing four.

On a similar note, in the BB, do you draw three to a 67? Three to a 68?

yeah, the 6 is not that good because it is the straight card. Note that:

1) to win the hand, you are probably going to need a 2 (otherwise, you are going to have at least 8-7 unless you draw exactly 3-4-5-6- 8_).

2) Tossing the 6 gives you 3 more chances to get that 2, and you have 16 other outs to give you a better card (3,4,5,7).

3) Even if you do draw the 2, and you get lucky enough to also get 3,4 or 3,5 or 4,5, you will have a hard time staying in the hand if you face action, since you will be missing 4 outs (that make a straight), and your pot odds will be poor with the pot unraised before the first draw.

It is true that keeping the 6 probably gives you a better chance of making an acceptable hand, but many of these hands will be borderline, and will possibly cost you money.

That said, if you are in the BB, and everyone folds to the SB (who limps), keeping the 6 might be OK if you see the SB drawing 3. You should probably keep your 8 in that case too! Also, in short handed play, 8s don't look so bad. Straights are less likely with rougher drawing requirements, and 6s are worth keeping.