It is a must that you know how to size your bets right. Failure to know how could sometimes ruin everything, your hope and chances of becoming a winning poker player. Well, it is actually tough to ascertain the size of the bet you are going to place in a certain betting round. Sizing of bets is somehow confusing and you have to consider a lot of things. But according to the pros, this job can be made easier by knowing your reason/s why you are betting. Are you betting because you just want to make others call? Or you want to make others fold?
So Others Will Call
In in case you will be betting to make others call, then you should place a value bet. But it is a bit dangerous to place a value bet when your reason for betting is you want others to call. Before placing a value bet, it is best to know your opponents first. Know their prevailing disposition or inclination for calling. Get to know the kind of bets they typically call. Everything is a matter of getting knowledge and information about their tendencies.
So Others Will Fold
If you are betting because you want others to fold then be it. Such reason is the most acceptable reason. But what do you think should be the size of your bet if this is your reason?
Cited in some poker books, when one wants to bet to make others fold, then bet should be as little as possible. This makes sense, considering this may get the job done. But you must be careful in placing little bets as you may look like a fish to others. It is important that you get a feel what kind of players you are up against with.
Hi there,
Just an information, I play both limit and no limit. When I have strong hands or top pair good kicker, I do play very well. I’m good as well in trapping people. But whenever I have top pair, I lose my mind, however see the board pair, particularly in no limit.
Say hand is QJ and flop is J-7-7 rainbow. Table is a loose-passive one with 8 players in on the flop. I will then raise one off the button. It’s limit. Someone will then bet into me and I have the top pair with a decent kicker, two pair actually. Later, I will play the hand very passively and will call down instead of going for raises. In the end, I will win the hand but will not gather a lot of money as what is supposed to be.
What strategies are perfect in such scenario?
Personally, things are harder for me in terms of two pair. Unless I have both cards like hand AQ and flop A-Q-6, it’s hard for me to consider it a two pair. Maybe because I have already trapped others and I’m afraid to be trapped as well.
Any thoughts?
Warm regards,
Jim
Jim,
In the first scenario, since it is Limit with a lot of people in on the flop, I would raise the first time. If I am three bet, then I will slow down and just call. The chances are increased that someone has a better jack or even the seven with that many people in there. The times that you just call it down and lose the hand, you will end up saving more bets than you could have won with the hands that you could have raised. In Limit Holdem, saving bets is just as important as winning bets.
Hi,
I’ve been into Poker for not so long. Well, I believe if I’ve been winning, I tend to do very good but when I’ve been into some series of bad luck and plays, I can’t seem to get myself out of trouble.
Ever since, I love playing online as I can already play with my $50, unlike in casinos where I need a few hundred to play $3/6 live sessions. Typically, I take some weird bets, miss some draws, play faster though I shouldn’t even be. I don’t understand the reason behind my bad luck or plays.
Any advice or comment perhaps?
Thanks and nice site! More power!
Regards,
Ry
Ry,
I don’t have enough information here. In regards to bad beats, if you are playing solid poker, then you will receive bad beats, especially in Limit Holdem. Otherwise, your problem may be playing hands you should not be playing. One thing I notice is that you may be overplaying some hands. You may want to tighten up a bit. Ed Miller has a great book entitled Small Stakes Holdem. Pick up a copy.
