What's your favorite non-HE game?

[boolean]

I took a long break from poker while I was dealing with some RL issues (getting engaged, working, etc), so when I got back my Hold 'Em game wasn't as sharp as it was. At the time, I was clearing a bonus at UB and I started playing their Royal Hold 'Em tables when they first came out. In about a few hours I pretty much learned how to push my hard edges, learned that top two pair/top set is the best hand and flopped straights are insta-mucks, and I raked in the dough. Since then, I've decided that I want to play alternative games that a lot of other players may not know how to play very well.

So, lately I've been playing a lot of LO8/b, and I've experimented with Stud8/b, Triple Draw 2-7 and A-5. And this raises the question, what do you play to take a (well needed sometimes) break from Hold 'Em?

[biggle10]

My games starting with favorite.

Draw high
Triple draw low (2-7)
Omaha Hi/Lo (I actually play this more than TDL, but only because its offered at more sites).
Chinese Poker (I suck but its fun).
Stud Hi/Lo
Razz
Triple draw low (A-5)
Stud (I need to play this more).
Omaha (I shoud try playing this period).

[boolean]

Out of curiousity, why do you have A-5 ranked lower than 2-7?

[uncledave]

I play more Omaha8 than anything else. So much is geared towards THE that you get a big sick looking at it all the time.

I also had a bash a couple of months ago at Royal Hold Em and I think it's really profitable. I'm not sure why I stopped playing it. I think maybe I finished a bonus and left Ultimate Bet or something like that.

Anyway... that's what I do

DS

[nurelic]

I'd have to go with:

Omaha Hi/Lo
Stud
Omaha

Not really playing much else right now, but I do like Razz and will jump into a game now and again when I find a game, I have some extra coin and the moon is full.

NuRelic

[caffiend]

I suppose my favorites are Draw High and Stud High/Low. But honestly, it's a trick question as my favorite game tends to be whatever I'm winning at right then and there. Besides, some games suit some opponents better than others. Mike Caro has suggested correctly that given a choice between hold'em and seven stud you should play hold'em against novices and stud against average players. The theory being that in hold'em you've got a much bigger advantage cardwise due to the structure of the game, while in stud the expert's edge is much larger even though the cards run closer.

Similar situations crop up with any poker game. Draw high is well suited for timid players who want to call a lot and play small pots, less attractive against expert players who'll fight over those same pots. Stud high/low is well suited for people that call too often and go deep in every hand, but high only is better against rocks. Chinese poker is good for timid novice players because the expert's edge is minimized. You'll win, but you won't suck cash out of a home game at the same alarming rate you would playing draw.

Online, I normally match the game with the cardroom and limit. Sometimes it's the most popular game, sometimes it's the lowest limit (For example if hold'em starts at .25/.50 and draw at 1/2 the 1/2 draw is generally far superior to the 1/2 hold'em), and sometimes it's the one best matched to the bonus requirements.

[easy_as_pie]

Chicago

[jp]

My favorite poker game outside of Hold'em would have to be Razz. I'm still learning and the game can be really frustrating, but it is a great change of pace.

Now if we are getting away from poker all together, it would be backgammon.

[mervhage]

Chicago

That's a good one.

My favorite game is PL Omaha when I'm winning and my least favorite is PL Omaha when I'm losing.

[blatman25]

I also had a bash a couple of months ago at Royal Hold Em and I think it's really profitable.

I saw you talked about Royal Hold Em in another post. What is it? And where do you play it?

[caffiend]

Royal Hold'em is Texas Hold'em played with only the broadways in the deck. I think Ultimate Bet is the only place to spread it. Obviously, with only AKQJT in the deck full houses and quads are the money hands while the straight and pairs are mostly worthless.

[biggle10]

My favorite poker game outside of Hold'em would have to be Razz. I'm still learning and the game can be really frustrating, but it is a great change of pace.

Now if we are getting away from poker all together, it would be backgammon.

Does anyone spread it other than Full Tilt?

[jedimoose]

Im becoming a huge hi/lo game as of late. Nothing better then scooping a big pot with lots of chippies in. Love the change from holdem. Plus theres always chasers in these games, and if you can avoid chasing the low and play only top 20 starting hands success is virtually guaranteed. Still pretty new to it, but doing some reading and seeing improvement already.

[jp]

My favorite poker game outside of Hold'em would have to be Razz. I'm still learning and the game can be really frustrating, but it is a great change of pace.

Now if we are getting away from poker all together, it would be backgammon.

Does anyone spread it other than Full Tilt?

I haven't seen it anywhere else, but I haven't really been looking either.

[biggle10]

Out of curiousity, why do you have A-5 ranked lower than 2-7?

2-7 requires more thinking thus my opponents are worse.