Poker Lesson 30: Drafting in Stud Poker

For those of you who are fans of NASCAR, you have seen one car following so closely behind on the bumper of another car, you would swear that some automotive nookie is not far behind. This is actually a strategy drivers use which is called drafting. This allows the car in back to cruise along in the slip stream, while the lead car fights the resistance of the wind and air. This allows the car in the back to save fuel and have something in the tank when the moment comes to pass the lead car.

This is an idea that can be applied to stud poker. When you have a hand that you are almost positive is the strongest hand, but your opponent is aggressively betting or raising, don't challenge him for the lead by raising immediately. Follow on his bumper as he takes the betting lead through the early rounds. When you get to the later betting rounds, your opponent will be financially, and emotionally committed to the pot. This is the time to pop out from behind him and take the betting lead. Raise his bets as often as you can. Because of his commitment, he will be unlikely to concede the hand to you, and the pot will be a big one when the showdown happens.

Also, if your opponent has a tendency toward trying to steal the antes with the highest card on the board, but you are fairly sure you have him beat, don't try to blunt his aggression. Induce him to continue to do so by passively calling rather than by raising. Your lack of action will make him feel safe and he will continue to feed the pot.

In the end you will benefit from an opponent who is naturally aggressive when faced with passive play. Many times players will continue to bluff when they are confronted with apparent weakness. As soon as you show strength though, the bluff falls apart. By delaying aggression you actually cause them to make the wrong play of bluffing.

This is a good strategy, but not one an inexperienced player should try against someone who has been around for a while.