Instructive Stud Eight or Better Hand
The game is 400-800 mixed games and we are playing Stud 8/B. I am dealt J (Jh2h) and a low card 3 brings it in. A 6 limps and another 6 raises to my right. He is a somewhat loose player and I have two 3's to my left. I decide to raise. I might get heads-up against a dead 6, but at least I want to limit the field. The first 3 calls and the limping 6 calls; as does the raiser.
Player 1: 6 A (xx)
Player 2: 6 K (xx)
Me: J Q (J2)
Player 3: 3 9 (xx)
Player 1 bets, player 2 calls, and I call. I don't see much value in getting heads-up with a possible pair of aces, though he more likely has a four card low with an ace; another hand that is a favorite against me. Player 3 calls.
P 1: 6 A Q (xx)
P 2: 6 K 3 (xx)
Me: J Q 2 (J2)
P 3: 3s 9 8s (xx)
Check, check to me, I bet, call, call, call.
P 1: 6 A Q 7 (xx)
P 2: 6 K 3 K (xx)
Me: J Q 2 7 (J2)
P4: 3s 9 8s 8 (xx)
Player 2 checks. Here's were it gets a little tricky. I am pretty sure that player 2 has a low draw. He would probably bet with two pair. I am also pretty sure that player 1 made a low and might be drawing dead for high. I want to protect my hand the best I can, and if player 2 doesn't have a smooth low draw he can't call a raise. Even if he can call a raise, his side cards are pretty dead. So I bet. Player 3 called, player 1 raised, and player 2 folded (hooray!). I called. I considered raising here, but player 3 probably has a flush draw and won't fold. I was unwilling to lay 2-1 that I would win the high and build a big pot for player 1 who has half the pot locked up. Player 3 called.
I didn't improve. Player 1 bets, I called and player 3 called. Player 1 won low and I won high.
The important part of this hand was on sixth street. Instead of getting upset when player 2 hit the open kings, I realized that I still had the best high, and I could probably make him fold with a bet and a raise. I hope you found this hand instructive.