One of the essential attributes for success in poker is flexibility and the ability to adjust ones game to different sets of circumstances.
This is particularly important in Europe as it seems that simple things such as rules and betting structures vary from country to country - and even from casino to casino.
The travelling player has to endure some nonsensical game structures both in cash games and tournaments.
The unwillingness of operators to adopt standard formats is understandable as there is no overall controlling body for poker in Europe and not very much guidance available.
So here is a simple guide - both for players and card room operators - for the ideal structure for limit 7-card-stud.
The reason we are publishing this is because there seems to be little understanding of what happens in a stud game if the structure is wrong.
The ideal break down is as follows:
In a game with limits of 50-100 the relative percentages should be:
· Ante - 10 per cent ;
· Bring-in(forced bet) 20 per cent;
· Small bet: 50 per cent;
· Big bet: 100 per cent.
These percentages should be applied at all game limits so for example in a 300-600 game the structure should be ante 60 and bring-in 120. In practice however the chips in play would probably dictate an ante of 50 and a bring-in of either 100 or 150. This compromise would be close enough to the "ideal"to be acceptable and playable.
The most important ratio is that of the bring-in to the small bet. The small bet has to be sufficiently high in relation to the bring-in to make it possible for the player making the initial bet pass if an opponent completes the bet.
If the bring in of 20 can be raised (completed) to 50 the initial bettor has a decision to make.
But if for example the bring-in is 40 and the small bet 50 it is almost impossible for the initial bettor to pass if raised. As a result there is little point in an opponent raising the forced bet. The actual strategy of the game changes.
Stealing - an essential part of tournament play at the higher levels - becomes almost impossible.
Yet in many limit stud tournaments - where a lot of money is at stake - this happens during many rounds.
The usual excuse is that the correct value chips are not available.
The highest the bring- in should be in relation to the small bet is 50 per cent - that is a bring in of 25 with a small bet of 50. This is the minimum difference for a stealing strategy to be feasible.
The other area of concern is the level of the ante in relation to the betting limits.
These are often far too high. If they are put at 20 per cent of the big bet or even higher, the game turns into a crap shoot.
The reason is that the running antes will eat into a player's stack at such an alarming rate that even a short period without playable hands can destroy ones chances of survival.
In such circumstances the only relevant poker skill is recognising that you are about to get into trouble and that gambling with marginal hands (and winning with them)