No Limit Non-Hold'em Games

[AHBrownell]

Why aren't all games no limit too? I've always wondered this. Why are games like Stud, Stud HiLo8OB, RAZZ or Omaha not played in NL the majority of the time too?

I've always wondered this because with hold'em I've always felt like I have a lot more control in NL than in Limit and after logging about 10 hours of Stud Hi, I just couldn't get into it because with the limited betting I kept getting as frustrated as when I played limit hold'em during my early poker days. I realize there is skill in limit games, but I think that NL really shines for aggressive players who have an understanding of pot manipulation - and limit is much slower in general. Anyway, I was just curious if anyone had seen a game like Stud spread NL cause I'm curious why it wouldn't work.

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I've also wondered why there is no Hold'em Hi/Lo - seems like a natural to me!

[Dave B]

My assumption is that the odds of one starting hand beating another is much more narrow in those games.

For example, if AA over 77 is 80% in holdem, AAJ over 774 might be 60% in stud. Therefore, a NL 7 card stud game would quickly just become a gambling and not poker.

[TheSalche]

pots would get out of control fast because there is an extra round of betting in 7 card games, even pot limit stud gets pretty nasty. as dave pointed out you have less of an edge on third street than a similiar preflop situation so having a limit structure promotes play, rather than waiting around for big pairs all the time

[crack]

Pretty much what the other two said, there isn't that much of an edge for starting hands like there is at Holdem and the games really suit a limited betting structure, i.e FL and PL.

It has been tried and tested but the games play a lot better with a limited structure.

That said, a 5/10 NLO8 game has been running recently on FT. I have been sweating my friend in the game and we quickly came to the conclusion that not many people understand the differences between that and PL, so I hope they make more of an appearance.

[Hurricane Ham]

NL Razz ftw. One of my favorite games to call during dealer's choice homegames. Take the inherent frustration of playing Razz, and add in the fact that you can put in a ton of money on 3rd with A23 against your opponent's 7, then draw a couple of kings. Good times for all.

As far as "normal" playing though, yes, stud games especially lend themselves to a limit betting structure for reasons the other posters have mentioned. Calling these games NL can certainly be a good time in casual homegames though.