Poker Articles

The Importance of Versatility

Many of the prominent poker books written back when smoking was the norm in card rooms and armed raids on home games were a considerable threat, urged their readers to become familiar with more than one game. Unlike today’s technologically advanced society, where a game of high stakes Razz can be found after just a few clicks of the mouse, poker players first had to find out about a particular game, get themselves invited, and often times drive a hundred miles or more to get there. The most lucrative spots dealt a wide range of games to cater to everyone’s preferences, meaning you had to be willing to play the other man’s game if you ever wanted to play your own.

Poker, back then, came in all shapes and sizes, whereas today, Texas Hold’em seems to be everyone’s game of choice. You can still find variations of Omaha and Seven Card Stud in many of the bigger card rooms across the country, but Hold’em dwarfs them in comparison. Does this mean the advice of poker legends like Doyle Brunson and Bobby Baldwin, both living members of the Poker Hall of Fame, has become outdated? On the contrary, their advice is perhaps more valuable today than it was when their books were published. Becoming proficient with more than one type of poker in today’s Hold’em dominated world can be an extremely profitable play. Here are some reasons why:

Online Omaha games are extremely soft. Many of the players you’ll find playing Omaha online are taking a break from their Hold’em game and trying something new. You’ll often see players showdown some of the worst possible starting hands in Omaha, because they are either not familiar with the “must use exactly two” rule, or they simply do not have knowledge of the starting hand requirements.
Specialty tournaments that alternate between games. The most popular of these tournaments is H.O.R.S.E., which is an acronym for Hold’em, Omaha, Razz, Seven Card Stud, and Stud Eight or Better. The popularity of mixed game tournaments is on the rise, as a result of professional poker players’ outcry that Hold’em is establishing a monopoly of sorts. Mixed tournaments require a wide range of poker skills that few people possess. Arming yourself with at least basic strategies for the games played in mixed tournaments will give you a slight edge over the average poker player.
Alleviating boredom. If you’re reading this article, then you probably love the game as much as I do. That said, as humans we often get tired of the things we love and poker is no exception. After hours upon hours in a chair, patiently waiting, constantly analyzing and systematically plotting can take a serious toll on your mind. Therefore, it’s healthy to take a break from Hold’em every now and then and rejuvenate your brain with something new. Focusing your energies on a new game not only gives your mind a rest, but also broadens your overall poker repertoire.

By Garry Gates
Poker Expert