Posts Tagged ‘betting’

On Etiquette

Hi,

I’m wondering if you can explain to me the betting etiquette for no limit. Can you? And do you know what makes players mad in casinos with betting? How about the rules with string betting, any idea?

Say player 1 raises 20 chips. Player 2 then calls 20 chips by placing those chips into the pot. He then reaches back after the 20 chips is in, he goes all in.

If in case, I might say (along with some friends) that Player 2′s 20chips in the pot, without saying “raise” and after pulling his hands out of the pot, is a call. But if he later chooses to leave the rest of his chips in, it will be considered as a bet in the dark.

Another thing, if players 1, 2, and 3 are involved in a hand and player 2 drops one of his cards accidentally and player 1 sees it, 1 and 2 now know one of 2′s pocket cards. Do you think player 2 has to flip the card for the rest to see? Your thoughts?

Thank you in advance.

Best regards,
Herbie
Herbie,

First, Player two made a string bet. When you make a raise, you must either do it all in one motion or verbally that you’re going to raise. Player 2 just called in that case.

Also, player 2 may not leave his chips out as a dark bet, unless he is first to act the next hand. If he is first to act and wishes to bet dark, he may.

In the case where a card was exposed, yes, he must flip it over for everyone else to see that is in the hand. Show one, show all.

$2/4 Game

Hi,

I believe you once said that “A $2/4 no limit game is much larger than a $2/4 limit one.” Sorry but I have no idea what’s a $2/4 no limit game. What is it? Well the name implies there’s no limit so why $2/4? I think I know what you’re trying to actually imply however I’m not sure maybe I misunderstood something.

By the way, about the term limits, it implies the maximum and that something less than it can be wagered. For an instance, in a $5/10 limit game, the maximum that can be bet on the turn is $10. So can $5 or $7 be bet instead? Or else the preflop and flop bets should be in $5 increments only and the turn and river bets in $10 increments?

I hope I make sense here. Hope to hear from you soon.

Thanks in advance!

All the best,
Clark
Clark,

A $2-$4 No Limit game is referring to the size of the blinds. The betting is no limit, but the blinds are at $2-$4.

In a limit game, the betting limits are fixed amounts. You can think of Limit Holdem as Fixed Limit Holdem. In a $5-$10 Limit game, the preflop and flop betting is in increments of $5 and the turn and river betting is $10 bets.

Common Scenario

Hello,

For several times this scenario happens to me, I don’t want to fold too high to the point which when everyone folds, however one particular doesn’t want to check it to let others have their free flush however whatever he does, betting and the like, he has to do that at all means.

Any thoughts? Given you have such hand, how do you go about playing them? And if the flush card hits on the turn, what will you do?

Thanks!

Regards,
Genesis
Genesis,

When you play with calling stations, you have to try and push your advantages when you have them, but in the event that draws do hit and you perceive people on the draw, then you need to slow down and check. Chances are at this point you’re beat.

Couple of Questions

Hello,

I have two questions to ask. Hope you have time.

The first one is about how one can tell a bad player has actually made a strong hand. Almost all loose-passive I know call all the way without considering if they have bottom pair or top set. In my case, I usually bet hand like top pair and keep still being aggressive.

If I may add, before facing such opponents, do you have to wait for the absolute nuts or can you go on playing big pairs and top pair with a good kicker with positive outlook?

The second one on the other hand is about the correct amount to value bet against the opponents above. Is it just to bet two times the size of the pot with the nuts say it’s okay for them to call any of your bets?

I hope to hear from you soon.

Many thanks,
Lutherford
Lutherford,

In regards to playing bad players, I would continue to play solid hands and push my advantage. Yes, they will suck out on you, but over time, you will triumph. As far as determining if they have strong hands, sometimes you can’t. If they continue to bet and call the same way throughout, you won’t be able to put them on hands. However, if they start changing their bet sizes out of the ordinary, then there is a chance they have hit a hand. Also, if they are always betting out or calling and start doing the opposite action, then that is another sign.

High Cards in Early Position

Hi,

I’ve been into local free rolls in my place. Well, I play two or three times a week. Most of the time, I face bunch of players with various approaches.

Majority of the players I’ve encountered were loose type thus making it hard for me to steal pots even with a preflop raise and a continuation bet. On the better side, I still can make it to the final table in just almost half the time. There’s just one situation I can never forget.

In early position back then, I had a decent hand, AKs, AK, AQs, AQ. For approximately three times the BB I raised and then got several callers. Flop came but of no help. Later, turn came but of also no help to me, I haven’t made a hand still. At such point, I was in doubts if placing another bet will be a good move.

If you were me, will you place another bet? Well, personally I want to place another one to obtain more info. Also, if I was back in position, how would the situation change? Do you think for free card, I should just check it down to the river and then wait and see if other player place a bet on the river? What do you think?

Hope to hear from you soon.

Many thanks,
John
John,

If you are in position with this hand and raised preflop, you need to bet out on the flop and then if you are still in at the turn, bet out again. You need to take advantage of the position and try to force them out when they show weakness.

Remaining Players’ Cards

Hi,

I’ve been into poker for quite some time now and luckily I was able to witness various tournaments. Well, in some tournaments, the remaining players’ cards are turned over and revealed by the dealer after the flop but in others cards are hidden till the final betting round on the river is over. I’m confused why this is so? What’s on your thoughts?

Your help will be much appreciated.

Thanks in advance and nice site!

Cheers,
Jenkins
Jenkins,

When a player is all in and has only one caller, both players hands are shown and the hand played out. In the event the all-in player has multiple callers, the player must wait until side action concludes to show their hand.

An Argument About Side Pot

Hi,

I was in a no limit Texas Holdem tournament the other day. Unfortunately, an argument about side pot came up.

There were four players left, player A, player B, player C, and player D. Player A with 1000 first called the 100 in the big blind. Player B with 500 called the 100. Player C with 300 went all in for 300. Player D folded. All figures were in chips.

Later, player A called the additional 200 from the all in bet of player C. Player B followed and also called the additional 200. Flop came with three way action: player A, player B, and player C. Each player had invested 300.

Because he was the first to act after the flop, player A then made a move and then went all in, 700. Well, all of us knew then that player C had a great chance of winning 900 if his hand was the best hand at the table. Also, it was obvious that in the event player B calls the bet of player A, there would be a side pot and that whoever of the two has the best hand would win the side pot at hand. Finally, player A would have the additional 500 he placed in the pot that the other players could not cover as well as the pot from Player 1, Player 2 and Player 3.

Now, what do you think will happen in the event player B folds to the all in bet of player A? Also, in case player B folds after player A goes all in with more chips, do you feel player B can win the original pot against Player A as well as player C?

Personally, if I will be asked, if ever player B has chips left he has to call all his chips off to the bet of player A to win the main pot. In the event he folds, he will not anymore be able to have the pot. On the flip side, my friend insisted that player B should claim the all in bet after the flop of player C as he matched such bet before player A went all in. He argued that player B doesn’t need to put his chips at stake to have the original pot.

Any thoughts?

Thanks in advance!

Regards,
Rayner
Rayner,

Once a player goes all in and has multiple callers, the callers then are allowed to bet on the side. They are not just betting on the side, but they are also battling for the rights to the main pot. If player B folds to the all-in bet of player A, he forfeits his rights to the main pot.

Rules Related to Home Tournaments

Hi,

I have some questions for you. But before I lay them down all, let me first share where I’m coming from.

Just last Saturday night, I held a small N/L tournament. Buy in was $50 for 30 players $3000 in chips, three tables of ten. Well, the blinds started at $25 / $50 for the first hour but went up after few minutes. Before the action started, I went to every table at the room to discuss some general rules. I’ve emphasized to everyone that the dealer was the one in-charge to keep control of all the muck cards in the tournament and that the sole obligation of the participants was to protect the hands at all times.

Now, here are my questions:

1. Card of a certain guy was swiped to the muck pile by another guy who was not in the hand but actually a helper of the dealer. Well, he had pocket kings with a king on the flop. Later, I just decided to bust him out of the hand and his cards were mucked then. Am I right on this?

2. There was one table which started playing the wrong level at the point by which blinds were about to move up. Other 2 tables was just about to start dealing for that level. Table went 100/200 instead of $75/150. Well, I realized betting already started so I just made every one play the same 100/200 by passing the 75/150. However, instead of 1/2 hour we played such level for 1 hour. Any thoughts?

3. I was able to make it to the final table, I was the dealer. I wanted to deal in fast pace however there were some players who have no reaction or action at all. I believe they have options. For an instance, the big blind, check or raise. However, there was one player who disagreed. Well, as the dealer, I should always let players know and understand all of their options. What do you think?

Thanks!

Regards,
Serino
Serino,

Wrapping Players in Hand

Hello,

I was in a NL holdem tourney just the other day. Before the flop, blinds 25-50. There were 5 players left and were in the hand. Player 1 called for 50. Player 3 followed and acted out of turn, raised to 250. Dealer then came in between and requested player 2 to make a move. Player 2 called. Because of this, player C was then forced to keep his 250 in. Player 4 was next and folded. Afterwards it was player 5, he called 250.

Action was then back to player 1, he called 250 as well. Player 2 then raised to 1400. Then for 6000, player 3 went all in. Suddenly, the action was interrupted with a complaint about players 2 and 3 making some moves to angle some players. Well, we have some rules which went as follows:

1. The action of player 3 stands for 250.
2. Because player 2 is up on a 50 bet, he then has the chance to choose whether he will fold, call, or raise such bet.
3. In the event he chooses to call, he can’t raise anymore in case the bet returns to him at 250.
4. Any player who failed to act out in his turn should treated as player 2.
5. Hence, players 2 and 3 cannot wrap others who are in hand.

We arrived with these rules to protect all of the players. But unexpectedly another complaint appeared. It was about player 2. He disagreed on the idea that he lost his right to wrap all players in hand.

Any thoughts please?

Thanks in advance.

Regards,
Del Duca
Del Duca,

The rules in this scenario should have been as follows:

1. Player 3 acted out of turn and raised to 250.
2. Player 2 has the option to act on player 1’s bet. He can call raise or fold the 50 bet.
3. If player 2 calls player 1, then the 250 bet from player 3 is binding. If he raises, then the 250 bet is not binding and player 3 can act on player 2’s bet.
4. Since player 2 did not raise the bet from player 3 stands, and the betting continues as normal.
5. Players that act out of turn should be treated as player 3 was.

The other players may have a valid complaint about player 2 angling, but player 2 was within his rights to just call the bet from player 1. When action came back to player 2, he was within his rights to reraise, as was player 3 to move all in.

Often Into Trouble

Hi,

For about 6 months now, I’ve been playing No Limit Texas Holdem. I believe I’ve been a reasonable player however I’m always into trouble particularly when playing under the gun with big hands. I oftentimes use my knowledge specifically on betting but most of the time I fail to use what I know to my own my advantage. Just like recently, in an online NL poker, out of the small blind with KK. Well, everyone called the BB, however I re-raised to go into the flop. Flop came and was actually disturbing then, A, T, 6. I was the first to act and so I placed a bet twice the pot. One of the players folded, others called. Turn came and was another Ace. I thought of placing another huge raise or if not an all in however I don’t want to throw money once again. On the flip side, I never thought of checking to him or placing a small bet as I don’t want to appear weak and the like.

If you were me, what might have you done? Stay aggressive on the turn and then again on the river and accept that I might be paying the other player off well or just check to him and prepare if he eventually opt to raise?

By the way, your site is so helpful. Keep it up!

Regards,
Witter
Witter,

First, on the flop, I would have bet ¾ of the pot, not 200%. ¾ of the pot looks like a value bet, where 200% makes it look like you have a pair under aces. When you were called, you should have checked the turn. It may look weak, but betting will pay off that player that called you with an ace.

Two Different Hands

Hi,

There are two hands I can’t forget. In a $2.5/5 NL holdem, I raised on the button to $20 with A-J. I had three callers, thus making it a multi-way pot. Flop came and brought Q-Q-3. Everybody then checked to me. For some reasons, I then placed $24 bet. The player whom I called “LaBarca” called, everyone else folded. Turn came and brought a K. He then checked. I felt weakness and so wanted to grab the opportunity to win the pot. Later, I placed $40 bet and so he called though with some doubts. By the way, I’m not fond of bluffing.

I remember I already had the T for a straight and an A or a J for a probable winning pair. River came however was a blank and so he checked again. At such point, I started questioning myself, “do I have the heart to fire the third bullet when I really feel it’s the right thing to do?”. After few seconds, I placed another bet, at such point, $80. “LaBarca” called once again.

Finally, showdown came. My opponent flipped A-8 off for no hand and no draw but Ace high and so we just end up dividing the pot with the Q’s and the K being in there.

Now, I don’t know what went wrong. I don’t believe I have expected much. What do you think?

About the next hand I had, A-4 of hearts. Suddenly I limped behind another limper with it. BB and the player on button limp as well while SB folded. We then had the flop four handed, 8-6-3 all hearts.

Eventually, first limper checked while I placed $10 bet. Player on button called while the first limper re-raised to $20. I then called. Player on button re-raised once again to $56 while limper called. I started to think as player on button has flopped a flush as well and the limper has either a set or two pair. Finally, turn came and was a 9c. Limper checked and I followed. For $418, player on button went all in while for approximately $300, limper called all-in.

Later, player on button flipped over Q-9 of hearts for a flush while the limper, 3-3 for a set of 3′s.

So what do you think on how I played the second hand? Well, in general, I have no regrets. Same thing with how I played the first hand. I believe as a student I’ve learned my lesson and has applied each lesson learned so well.

I hope to hear from you soon.

Thanks and nice site!

Antone
Antone,

In regards to the second hand, you played that fantastically. You got to see a flop for cheap and flopped the nuts. You then had two players that were aggressive and were able to take the stacks of both players. The only thing I would recommend doing differently is checking on the flop when you flop the nuts. Let the aggressive player control the betting. While this didn’t matter in the end for this situation, in the future let the aggressive player control the betting. You will usually make more money that way.

I Lost!

Hello,

I was in a 2/4 NL event the other night. Last hand came and I was dealt Kd2d in the big blind. Later, everyone called the big blind.

Flop came and brought 8cKc8d. Small blind then placed a half the pot bet. By the way, he was a total fish and was on mega-tilt having lost about 9 buy-ins. Eventually, I called. A friend of mine followed and also called. Everyone else folded. Turn came and brought Jd. With the shortest stack, small blind then went all in. I then called after considering so many stuff. Last guy followed and also called. River came however of no help to me, no diamonds at all. Afterwards, hoping to scare him off a bit, I then placed what’s left of my stack, as my bet. Later, he called my all in and then showed 7h8s. Small blind had Kh10h.

Well, he won the biggest amount and to be honest I was really upset and disappointed. I know I had some mistakes but I can’t directly pinpoint all of them. Also, I’m wondering, did I make the right decisions in terms of betting or I should have stopped at some point? Any thoughts?

Thanks a lot!

Edwards
Edwards,

Your mistake was staying in after the flop.

About Weak Play

Hi,

I’m just curious, how should people look to utilize weak play in 6-handed high-stakes online games? And is there any difference between an actual value bet and a scared bet on various streets? And in terms of limping, how much is prohibited?

By the way, do you know the various means people go on in continuation betting situations both in and out of position, considering there is and there is no lead? And how significant it is to have a potential of playing from out of position? Any idea?

Thanks in advance!

Sichevsky
Sichevsky,

Limping isn’t usually permitted in higher stakes. Someone is usually going to raise. As far as continuation bet, most of the times players will make a continuation bet if they are the aggressor preflop regardless of position. Playing out of position is seldom a big advantage. Sometimes you can represent a big hand, but it is always better to act in position.

On the Way I Play

Hello,

Honestly, I don’t see high-limits as a fest full of bluffs. Well, I understand that the basis of all poker is more on doing and making a hand and eventually be paid for all of your efforts. However, better players play stronger and look to control the action no matter if they give importance to betting, bluffing, semi-bluffing, so on and do forth. Because of this, I’ve come to realize that to get paid accordingly, I should be in control and totally be unpredictable.

As of the moment, I love playing small ball poker. Usually I am the aggressor. Well, I oftentimes make use of my position and table image for other players to believe that I’m in for the pot. I don’t bluff that much however I open and bet a lot in small pots to eventually have action on my big hands nonetheless.

Considering the way I play, how well will I do in bigger games? Do you think other players will raise me more often or else call me in position as they want to know what I’ll do on the next street? What’s on your thoughts?

Thanks in advance!

Crawford
Crawford,

I would stick to lower limits and expand my game some if I were you. I don’t think you’re ready.