Live cards vs dead cards

A live card is still available in the deck (or in remaining down cards). A dead card is visible in someone's upcards (or folded upcards, depending on how carefully you track).

Beginners stare at their own hand. Stud players stare at the table. If three hearts are already up and you have two hearts in the hole with one heart up, your flush outs got crushed.

You don't need perfect memory on day one. Start by noticing: pairs on board, flush suits, high cards that kill your pair outs.

• Watch opponents' door cards from the start
• Folded upcards still removed cards from the deck