Main Forum
| Post Reply
|
A Problem Hand
|
|
Play gin-rummy tournaments online
|
| It's now: Oct 13, 3:06pm EST |
A Problem Hand
Posted by
calc_guy
26 Apr 2004 5:49pm
Many of the older books on gin rummy (Jacoby, Hoyle) say you should rarely -- if ever -- speculate on a card from the discard pile that doesn't make an immediate meld. There are still many fine players that hold to this philosophy.
Here is a hand I had recently on gamecolony that I would like to get reactions to. Oh, I probably have the suits all wrong, but this was basically the hand:
AS 2D 3H 4C 7S 8D JS QS KS KC UPCARD: 7D
Suppose you are the nondealer. You have first dibs on the upcard. Would you take it?
OK, NOW! Suppose you turn it down, and THE OPPONENT TAKES IT! She throws you ... the 8S. What do you do now??
I have my own ideas on these questions, but would like to hear some input before I throw in my two cents.
calc_guy
interesting
Posted by
Menkman74
(VIP) 27 Apr 2004 12:37am
Calc_Guy, youre posts are always interesting and I enjoy reading them. To answer your question above, you have to realize that its just one example and there are so many variables when determining each move, that it is hard to pin-point what to do each time. But let me give you my move in your hand above.
You absolutely take that 7D. First, b/c the 7 is right smack in the middle of the deck and its the card that can be used for many different purposes. Second, you have a J-Q-K run with an extra King that more times than not your opponent in that situation just doesnt need and you can discard. Third, it is so early in the hand that you can afford to speculate a shot at getting FOUR good cards to complete a meld (either the other two 7's or the 6 and 9 of diamonds). Fourth, you had NO OTHER meld, you didnt even have a PAIR in your hand at the time which means you could wait until you see your opponents discards as the game goes on and try and match the 'single' cards you have in your hand to throw out. To me it's a 'no-brainer' to take that upcard.
If you did let it pass though and your opponent picks it up and throws that 8 you mentioned, then you just hold onto the 7 and 8 you have in your hand until it is absolutely necessary to discard it. It's a tough position to be in but sometimes an inevitable one.
Hope this posting was useful and if you have any follow up questions, ask away.
Always a Pleasure, Never a Chore...
Menk
The Calc_Guy Does it Again
Posted by
Ed_Blue
(VIP) 27 Apr 2004 5:22pm
Hi Calc and thanks for the great posting. Me being the 'worst player in GC' I can only venture to guess at the answer. This is fun and I'm milking it to death.
I agree with the wise Menkman. The 7D is a no-brainer. To pass a possible 4-way draw at the beginning of the match could prove costly since you have no other runs, other than the JS QS KS at this time. I understand that some players would pass on the 7D because of a belief that it signals your opponent of your hand too quickly into the match. The problem with this logic is you have the same chance of drawing new cards as your opponent so there is a 50/50 chance, you will pull the fill-in cards instead of your opponent. Furthermore, as the match progresses, it stands to reason that your opponent would be forced to throw a card that would fit nicely into this run.
If you pass the 7D and your opponent picks it up and throws the 8S you know he's holding 7's and you would try an hold your 7 as long as possible.
I belive picking the 8S is a wise move since it gives you that leverage you lost with the prior move and also ties up the 7S as a potential dis-card.
Okay, you have my 2 cents...do with it as you may.
Thanks for the great posting.
Two Good responses so far
Posted by
calc_guy
28 Apr 2004 12:44am
You both make some valid, interesting points. I'll tell ya MHO tomorrow, but in the mean time, would anyone like to disagree with our two esteemed VIPs here?
BTW, I should have mentioned this is straight gin rummy. So the knock is ten. Assume the score is 75 to 75 in a 150 L game. Any other variables we need to collate, Mr. Menkman  ?
calc_guy
And the winner is .....
Posted by
calc_guy
30 Apr 2004 1:03am
... You're both right.
I think this hand poses a real problem for people who say 'you should never speculate.' If you don't take the 7D upcard, you're just not golfing with a full set of clubs. It turns a below average hand into a GREAT hand, and you can't name a single card that would be better to draw from the stock.
Now if you pass the 7D and your opponent TAKES it, you have a real problem. You're sitting there with the 7D and 8S and you've NO IDEA which is safe to throw. Worse, there's a heckova good chance he may have taken it for a combination such as: 6D 7D 7H, so EITHER card might give him a whole new meld, and possibly let him go down immediately -- even go gin.
If your opponent takes the 7D and throws the 8 of spades you should snatch it up so fast his head will spin. It immediately solves your discarding problem. Once your meld has filled in with another 8, you can discard the 7S FACE DOWN and knock. Or if you get the spade run, once again you knock avoid having to throw the dangerous 8D.
None of the cards your opponent is likely to have with the 7D interferes with your 7S 8S 8D combination, yet once again you've turned a terrible situation into a very good situation -- by speculating.
This one was a no brainer.
calc_guy
Reply to this topic
|
Play gin-rummy tournaments online
At GameColony.com you can play games of skill only -- play for free or play for $prizes!.
According to the statutes of most states in the United States, gambling is defined as: "risking something of value upon the outcome of a contest of chance". (Also see No Gambling!). The skill (as opposed to chance) is predominant in games of skill. Playing games of skill for $prizes, therefore, has nothing to do with gambling as it is not a contest of chance -- the more skillful player will win far more often. The chance element of a 'gamble' is either insignificant or missing. When players compete in tournaments or games of skill for $prizes -- it is "competitive entertainment" rather then "gambling". The more skilled winner will always win more matches, tournaments and $prizes.
|
|
