66 years old three times WSOP champion David Sklansky is widely considered one of the most respected personalities of poker. He has authored a number of strategy books, including some that have fundamentally affected the development of the game. While playing less than in his younger years, he remains to be an active player with five in the money finishes in this year’s WSOP alone.
David Sklansky
‘The Mathematician’ is, apparently, no longer interested in reforming the Hold’em strategy but the game itself. He claims Hold’em is worn out, there are few undiscovered secrets that remain and the game has become predictable and monotonous.
As a result, Sklansky has come up with a number of ideas to alter the game, presenting some of them to the community over at 2+2.
“Suppose some cards, perhaps between three and six, were dealt out face up, perhaps all before the start of the deal or perhaps at different preset times (eg three before the deal, two before the flop, one before the turn, or something like that.) They are not used by anybody except to recalculate strategy and add another aspect to it,” he proposed first.
Only a few members appeared to appreciate the proposal, especially due to the exceeding amount of information becoming available, therefore slowing down the game, making it too tight. Sklansky eventually agreed to these points and continued to brainstorm on new variants.
“First I think I agree with those who didn't like the earlier variation I brought up where unused cards are exposed. (Although I don't necessarily agree that non pros are intimidated by complications. Their home games are more complicated than any casino games.)
But there should exist games that let recreational players have a decent chance while playing a lot of hands. What do you think of these two:
1. Preflop, only the blinds are allowed to raise. Pot limit draw poker is actually often played this way in some parts of Europe.
2. No one can be dealt aces or kings to start. Perhaps a few more hands as well.”
While these alterations evoked mixed feelings, too, they have gained considerably more supporters. The second idea, with which it would become possible for players not to become dominated preflop so many times, resulting in looser gameplay and more flops, even got the interest of EPT Monte Carlo 2012 High Roller winner Justin ‘zeejustin’ Bonomo. Many agreed that this could potentially generate action much like in Pot Limit Omaha, where odds are far more even preflop.
Moving down Sklansky’s path, other players threw in their own ideas as well. There are supporters of, for instance, the introduction of five or more suits or the joker.
David Sklansky
‘The Mathematician’ is, apparently, no longer interested in reforming the Hold’em strategy but the game itself. He claims Hold’em is worn out, there are few undiscovered secrets that remain and the game has become predictable and monotonous.
As a result, Sklansky has come up with a number of ideas to alter the game, presenting some of them to the community over at 2+2.
“Suppose some cards, perhaps between three and six, were dealt out face up, perhaps all before the start of the deal or perhaps at different preset times (eg three before the deal, two before the flop, one before the turn, or something like that.) They are not used by anybody except to recalculate strategy and add another aspect to it,” he proposed first.
Only a few members appeared to appreciate the proposal, especially due to the exceeding amount of information becoming available, therefore slowing down the game, making it too tight. Sklansky eventually agreed to these points and continued to brainstorm on new variants.
“First I think I agree with those who didn't like the earlier variation I brought up where unused cards are exposed. (Although I don't necessarily agree that non pros are intimidated by complications. Their home games are more complicated than any casino games.)
But there should exist games that let recreational players have a decent chance while playing a lot of hands. What do you think of these two:
1. Preflop, only the blinds are allowed to raise. Pot limit draw poker is actually often played this way in some parts of Europe.
2. No one can be dealt aces or kings to start. Perhaps a few more hands as well.”
While these alterations evoked mixed feelings, too, they have gained considerably more supporters. The second idea, with which it would become possible for players not to become dominated preflop so many times, resulting in looser gameplay and more flops, even got the interest of EPT Monte Carlo 2012 High Roller winner Justin ‘zeejustin’ Bonomo. Many agreed that this could potentially generate action much like in Pot Limit Omaha, where odds are far more even preflop.
Moving down Sklansky’s path, other players threw in their own ideas as well. There are supporters of, for instance, the introduction of five or more suits or the joker.
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