Six-card Stud: Is it really THAT Complex?

Six-card Stud, also called 'Klondike' and 'Keeno', provides a fine balance between the closed and the open cards.

More complicated, with the ratio of obvious locks reduced, it encourages more action than the five-card variation.

For example, in this group, as in most, Six-card Stud is dealt as follows: two cards in the hole and one open, followed by the first round of betting.

To each stayer, three more open cards are available, one at a time, and each is followed by a round of betting.

The stakes in this group are: one chip ante by each player; two chip limit until a pair shows or the fifth card is dealt; then the limit is increased to four chips.

So player G deals. You hold the only open A, J, and eight in the hole. Should you bet, or check?

When the first three cards have been dealt, a pair occurs once in six hands on the average. You have seven opponents, and it is probable that at least one of them holds a pair.

Although you beat the board, check; do not expose yourself to raise or a trap call.

D deals. And the open cards are: B--- two; you--- 10; H--- A; G--- seven; A--- K; C--- six; E--- three; F--- five. A bets. G and A fold. Your hole cards are nine eight, in different suits; you hold a three-straight. Do you raise, call, or fold?

Now, do you think you'll catch a Q J, or a J seven, or a seven six--- a straight--- in the remaining cards? Better to drop the idea and fold now.

An accurate table of odds against improving the different kinds of three-straights to straights, in the Stud variation dealt this way, would involve intricate probability calculations and would be exceedingly cumbersome.

It would have to take into consideration various numbers of players, because every additional open cards affects the odds. You don't need it.

All you need is this pertinent fact: when you start with a three-straight open at both ends, the odds against your catching a straight in the remaining three average approximately 10 to one.

It is never sound to stay with a low three-straight. On occasion, when the cost is not too high, you may find it profitable to stay with a Q J 10, or K Q J.

Please observe that, for the purpose of catching a straight, a Q J 10 is better, because if you catch an A to a K Q J, you are open at only one end.