Do you play with a Bring In for Stud Home Games? (2 Viewers)

[Aeternus]

Trying to introduce more mix games to my home game players, and myself, I am not experienced with them. And limit games definitely got the most confusion.

Notably got complaints about the bring in bet, from older players who say that didn't use to be part of the rules for 7 card stud, and newer players who just found that additional part of the rules an extra confusion when learning a new game. We play low stakes so not a huge deal for anyone, but wondering what other's thoughts are since I got some messages suggesting we don't do a bring in at all.

We play 8 or 9 handed typically so 7 card stud doesn't work if everyone checks for a street or two is my biggest concern, a lot of players will play passively especially in a limit game where pot odds are great with lots of callers and few raisers.

Part of this may be bet sizing being difficult with mixed games. We typically play $10 buy in 0.05/0.1 NLHE but with buy in to chip lead and some aggressive players we often end up with a couple to several hundred at least on the table. So I've set the limits as .05 ante .25 bring in .50 small bet 1.00 big bet since otherwise folks still want to stay in the pot too much with potential draws.

 

[MeridianFC]

Say what? Bring in has always been part of Stud. It’s there to seed the pot by the weakest hand.

As far as the betting behavior by your crew, is it different for flop games? It just sounds like bad play by your group. It also sounds like they don’t understand the strategy of Stud at all. Sure, there are a lot of potential draws, but a glance around the table to see what is taken by other players should put that to rest pretty easily. I would say it sounds like a group I would like to play with!

 

[ekricket]

Hey, I tried this thing called “the internet” and I got about a million sites that explain 7 card stud/betting and a ton of videos. Here’s one

https://www.888poker.com/magazine/strategy/learn-to-play-7-card-stud-poker-games

You can also refer to Abby’s mixed game cards in the Resource section of this internet site you are on right now!!!

Seriously though a bring in has always been a part of stud, at least since the 1880’s. Maybe your guys were around before then?

 

[Aeternus]

Sorry if it sounded like I was asking the informational question on it, it was more the conversational: is it as needed if its a weird pain point like it apparently is with my group? And if anyone had thoughts there. I absolutely agree it is the right way to play the game.

And yeah, it is funny since 2 of my older players and one other I've asked (all who have played different stud games when younger) insist the bring in was never a thing. I will sooner agree with the internet than anecdote, but I do think using it in home games isn't as universal in the past.

I suppose I should just insist on doing it right anyway.

 

[SteveEH]

I just hosted a mixed game night with stud and razz and we had a bring in. I didn't use one back in the day, but that's because I learned from a video game that only had antes:

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=hohwmmlwtLQ&ved=2ahUKEwiB9-iCks2AAxWHMDQIHXvRAF8Q78AJegQIGxAB&usg=AOvVaw1R1cz3QV6TWxvGaPdnZrvC

Also for .50/1 fixed limit our antes were.10 not .05.

 

[NotRealNameNoSir]

And yeah, it is funny since 2 of my older players and one other I've asked (all who have played different stud games when younger) insist the bring in was never a thing. I will sooner agree with the internet than anecdote, but I do think using it in home games isn't as universal in the past.

I suppose I should just insist on doing it right anyway.

Don't worry about it, sarcasm is the only way he knows how to communicate. Your OP was clear: you knew the rules and got pushback, you're just checking in with us about how we do it.

Teaching at the table can be tough especially with older players, keep it up.

 

[WedgeRock]

Not requiring a bring in is a recipe for checking it down and the whole table seeing 7th street.

I wouldn't eliminate the bring in. I'd rather eliminate the game. But if you're going to play it, play it right. Otherwise, any place you play other than your game will feel wrong.

 

[upNdown]

I just hosted a mixed game night with stud and razz and we had a bring in. I didn't use one back in the day, but that's because I learned from a video game that only had antes:

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=hohwmmlwtLQ&ved=2ahUKEwiB9-iCks2AAxWHMDQIHXvRAF8Q78AJegQIGxAB&usg=AOvVaw1R1cz3QV6TWxvGaPdnZrvC

Also for .50/1 fixed limit our antes were.10 not .05.

YES! I was saying please be intelivision, please be intelevision, please be intelivision.
That’s how I learned too. And I love the sounds of that game.

@Aeternus I’ve only played with a bring in, but I wouldn’t be shocked to hear that some home games don’t. And if your crew is that passive, it might not make a difference. But if I were you, I’d push it. They’ll figure it out.

 

[Aeternus]

Say what? Bring in has always been part of Stud. It’s there to seed the pot by the weakest hand.

As far as the betting behavior by your crew, is it different for flop games? It just sounds like bad play by your group. It also sounds like they don’t understand the strategy of Stud at all. Sure, there are a lot of potential draws, but a glance around the table to see what is taken by other players should put that to rest pretty easily. I would say it sounds like a group I would like to play with!

Its better in flop games for sure.

But yes, absolutely not great at stud, we had 6 diamonds up on first street and half of the folks who stayed in said they were chasing diamond flushes afterwards in one hand...

Thanks for the advice all. I will insist on the bring in rules and hopefully players will get more into it.

 

[ekricket]

Sorry if it sounded like I was asking the informational question on it, it was more the conversational: is it as needed if its a weird pain point like it apparently is with my group? And if anyone had thoughts there. I absolutely agree it is the right way to play the game.

And yeah, it is funny since 2 of my older players and one other I've asked (all who have played different stud games when younger) insist the bring in was never a thing. I will sooner agree with the internet than anecdote, but I do think using it in home games isn't as universal in the past.

I suppose I should just insist on doing it right anyway.

You have to have some thing to play for, same concept as the blinds.

Does every player ante as well? If so then In home games you do have some money in the pot precards so it might simplify and streamline the action to forgo the bringin, especially for players who dont grasp concepts well.

It’s not unusual for the dealer to post a set amount instead of every player ante, and then the bring in adds to it.

But I’ve been playing for decades, kitchen table and casino, and I’ve never played without a bringin unless it was with my mom and family. Then simplified is better.

 

[MeridianFC]

"If you're gonna play the game, boy,
You gotta learn to play it right."

 

[ekricket]

And also

“I don’t remember this being part of it…” ask them where do they remember this from?
Vegas casinos or their home game with chuck and rob?
It’s always been a part of the casino games.

 

[DoubleEagle]

It’s not unusual for the dealer to post a set amount instead of every player ante, and then the bring in adds to it.

That's exactly what we do. The dealer posts the antes for the entire table and then low card brings it in.

 

[NotRealNameNoSir]

"If you're gonna play the Gameboy,
You gotta learn to play it right."

 

[Aeternus]

It’s not unusual for the dealer to post a set amount instead of every player ante, and then the bring in adds to it.

Yeah, I was aware this was common. Since we are only playing a 7 card stud game once per rotation and I have the small value chips in play I went with the ante from everyone since that's infrequent enough folks will have different counts of being dealer I didn't want to feel bad.

And also

“I don’t remember this being part of it…” ask them where do they remember this from?
Vegas casinos or their home game with chuck and rob?
It’s always been a part of the casino games.

Absolutely just from home games they've played, but a few have played quite a lot of it in home games.
And I was told by one player after the game: "These new rules for 7 card stud, they are much worse than the old way"

 

[pocketjacks]

I just introduced 7-card stud at my last home game. My players seemed to enjoy it. It is kind of slow, but I really like playing it. We play with the standard rules. We used .25 ante, .50 bring-in, $1 small bet, $2 big bet. We rotate other mixed games, and our NLH is .25/.50 with a $60 buy-in. Works well for us.

 

[SteveEH]

I just introduced 7-card stud at my last home game. My players seemed to enjoy it. It is kind of slow, but I really like playing it. We play with the standard rules. We used .25 ante, .50 bring-in, $1 small bet, $2 big bet. We rotate other mixed games, and our NLH is .25/.50 with a $60 buy-in. Works well for us.

Those are the same stakes I hosted last Saturday. I was the only person that liked it but hopefully more will in time.

 

[NotRealNameNoSir]

Those are the same stakes I hosted last Saturday. I was the only person that liked it but hopefully more will in time.

Same here. Unanimous dislike for it, they even preferred 5 card stud like Cincinnati kid.

 

[Samuel]

OP, play however makes your group happy...

Fwiw, I'd guess that 99.995% of all the stud games we've played since the early 80's have been with everyone ante-ing a set amount and without a bring in. Bring ins are allowed but for us, it's a 'dealer call' rather than SOP...

 

[ThrowBack]

Definitely should be an ante game. We are simplifying the bring in and just making it equal to the anti-, which basically makes guys feel like they are paying a blind. For some reason that makes sense in everyone’s head.

 

[JustinInMN]

Trying to introduce more mix games to my home game players, and myself, I am not experienced with them. And limit games definitely got the most confusion.

Notably got complaints about the bring in bet, from older players who say that didn't use to be part of the rules for 7 card stud, and newer players who just found that additional part of the rules an extra confusion when learning a new game. We play low stakes so not a huge deal for anyone, but wondering what other's thoughts are since I got some messages suggesting we don't do a bring in at all.

Say what? Bring in has always been part of Stud. It’s there to seed the pot by the weakest hand.

FWIW, when I was learning poker as a youth, we did not know the concept of a bring in stud. But it is standard in every casino and online game I have played in as an adult. For what it's worth in "Rounders" in the "municipal workers" game they are not playing with a bring-in, because Mike has an ace doorcard

Spoiler: Rounders Spoiler

with two sevens down

and takes the option to check it which checks around and leads to a "free" fourth street where...

Spoiler: "Rounders" spoiler

Worm deals Mike a third seven on 4th street, but Worm is caught dealing this card crooked and then all heck breaks loose.

So it's not surprising there is a segment of the population that is completely unaware of the bring in if they have only played in private games their whole life that just played high hand action on 3rd street instead of low card bring in. But stud is a much better game when using a bring in and you should stick to that structure.

 

[JustinInMN]

Same here. Unanimous dislike for it, they even preferred 5 card stud like Cincinnati kid.

Absolutely underrated poker movie. Way ahead of its time.

That said, 5-card-stud is a really "flat" format. With one hidden card the possibilities are quite limited and it's not hard to see why seven-card-stud was the next big wave in poker.

 

[BPB]

I just introduced 7-card stud at my last home game. My players seemed to enjoy it. It is kind of slow, but I really like playing it. We play with the standard rules. We used .25 ante, .50 bring-in, $1 small bet, $2 big bet. We rotate other mixed games, and our NLH is .25/.50 with a $60 buy-in. Works well for us.

Doing my first dealer’s choice game on the 26th. Plan on doing something exactly like this.

 

[moose]

I don't get it. Without a bring in, how do you start the betting? Stare down until somebody makes a move?

 

[BGinGA]

I don't get it. Without a bring in, how do you start the betting? Stare down until somebody makes a move?

View attachment 1180523

Yeah, me either. Maybe they use a button (player after dealer acts first), or action on the high-hand on 3rd street?

 

[JustinInMN]

Yeah, me either. Maybe they use a button (player after dealer acts first), or action on the high-hand on 3rd street?

High hand act on 3rd is how I was taught before I learned about the bring-in. High hand action was the rule in the "Rounders" scene I described above as well .

 

[legend672]

Not requiring a bring in is a recipe for checking it down and the whole table seeing 7th street.

I wouldn't eliminate the bring in. I'd rather eliminate the game. But if you're going to play it, play it right. Otherwise, any place you play other than your game will feel wrong.

Bring in is forced bet by the low face up card on first round of betting . All other rounds are highest ranking face up hands starts the betting

 

[Natskule]

High hand act on 3rd is how I was taught before I learned about the bring-in. High hand action was the rule in the "Rounders" scene I described above as well .

We don't at the weekly dealer's choice game I attend. Just an ante, then high card bets. Don't do blinds for flop games either. Don't really need to as there is plenty of action in this low stakes game. Quarter to $5 spread limit, 3 raise limit, anything the dealer wants, sometimes some truly terrible games, but it's fun and at stakes that everyone can afford and continue to attend.

I'm not saying it's the right way, or the best way, or the way I would run it, but it does work and is fun. Don't ask me about the league tournament that starts the night, it's TURBO and it would cause BGinGA's head to explode.

 

[BGinGA]

it's TURBO and it would cause BGinGA's head to explode.

Belgrade being in Nebraska was sufficient enough for that.

 

[WedgeRock]

Bring in is forced bet by the low race up card on first round of betting . All other rounds are highest ranking face up hands starts the betting

I'm not sure why you quoted me when you mansplained the bring in.

However, there is no bring in after the first round of bets. Action starts with the high card in subsequent rounds and that player may check and is not required to bet.