Well, too bad Roy West is apparently gone now, because his book is the best beginner/intermediate guide to a very important game. Meaning: There exists another world before and beyond NLHE, and it is stud. Most pros today (the vets, not the Internet kids) are masters at it.
That having been said, I believe a topic such as this should be stickied for discussion if anyone is serious.
Being a limit game, unlike NLHE, you cant count on draws and outs for great implied odds, it is generally more profitable to play good starters and then follow Sklansky's theorem on further streets (minimize bad or marginalized situations, maximize best).
Starters range from 99X to JXJ minimum, to lo str fl draws, to high str or fl draws. No lo str draws. No lo prs without overcard and fl backup. Depending on board of course (if an A and K have entered the pot already, your Js are toast; 9s hidden may be playable but not usually), those are minimum. Why 99? Because the average winning hand is 999 overall, anything less is a losing proposition over time.
Now I yearn for a nosh, please blow out the candle on yr way out.
