okay but just to keep it in context somewhat. lets say five poeple are going to the end with two jamming on all the later streets. cant beat that action when you have a very good hand. but in split you get the jamming when someone else is going the opposite way and has a big hand (lock). and you cant be positive many times it isnt the same way as you are going.

but even though with five to the end and a split. say each puts in 100 bucks. you win your side and get back 250. you get 3 to 2 on your money.

for 3 to 2 you have to fade four others backing into your side, or you not making your side during the early rounds. so no picnic here with those hands that need massive improvements.

so this is why having two way hands that back into a scoop occasionally are the money makers.

In stud8 even in a loose game playing your hand according to what your door represents is the best way to engineer those jam spots, and that's why hands like (K7)2sss can be played while the same hand with a King door is less valuable.

Obviously it's no picnic trying to win even half the pot with 5 players in, but I don't think you should downplay the profitability of getting 3 to 2 on your money in those spots. That's 150% profit. If you stack an opponent in a HU NL pot, that's 100% profit.

If you have to go way uphill to improve then you have to weigh your odds of getting there, but it's hard to believe a starting hand that has 25% equity in a 5-way pot can't be played profitably.