Hi,

I hope you don’t mind but I want to know your thoughts on showing other players your cards if they all fold or if according to the rules you don’t have to show them. I heard some say that showing your cards won’t give you anything good instead would just give other players information about you. But I also heard from some players that if you play tight in the beginning and show those good cards even when you don’t have to, you can later bluff more effectively. What’s on your thoughts?

Thanks a ton!

Best regards,
Franc
Franc,

Showing your cards gives other opponents information that they can use against you. You can also use this to your advantage. Personally, I don’t start showing most hands until later in the tournament to try and give off the illusion that I always have a strong hand when I’m in the pot. That way, I tend to get less action from people with stack equal to mine unless they have a big hand. This in turn allows me to put people on hands easier and allows me sometimes to ease into the money without massive confrontations.

Related articles:

1. Revealing Lost Hand
2. More On Odds
3. About Revealing Hands and Computer Opponents

Hi,

I’m wondering if what these percentages tell me. In case we use a 4 to the flush after the flop scenario, I have a 36% chance to make my hand. In the event we go all the way by math, my chances aren’t greater than 50%. Do you think if not all, most of my plays should only be when I have greater than 50% to make my hand? Or else if not, then what? Semi-bluff, raise, call or fold? And for me to stay in, how should the pot be?

Thanks in advance!

Best regards,
Tim
Tim,

What should determine whether you stay in the pot or not is the pot odds. The way to determine pot odd is to take the amount of money that you need call a bet and divide it by the amount of the pot before your call. This tells you what percentage your call is to the pot. If the call is less than or equal to the percentage to hit your hand, then you can make the call.

Related articles:

1. When to Draw
2. With Losing Hands
3. Pot Odds Problems

Hi,

I’ve been into poker for some time now but for some reasons I still don’t when I’m supposed to draw. Any thoughts? For an instance I have a four flush on the flop and someone bets big, do you think I should call fold? Or if not, raise?

Your help will be much appreciated.

Thanks a lot!

Warm regards,
Romeo
Romeo,

You should only draw to a straight or flush when you have the proper odds to do so. The simplest way to figure this out is first to determine what outs you have. Say you have 9 outs to hit your hand after the flop. Multiply this by 4 and you have your percentage to hit your hand. If you are on the turn, multiply by 2. Next, divide the amount that you must call in the pot, by the current pot size. This will give you the percentage of the pot that your call represents. If the percentage of your hitting the hand is greater than or equal to the percentage of the pot that you must call, then you should draw. If not, then fold.

Related articles:

1. Raising on the Flop with a Flush Draw to Obtain a Free Card
2. Turn or River Odds
3. On Odds

Hello,

I’m here to ask something. Well, it’s about the decisions I made before which were actually based on pot odds, implied odds, and hand odds. I’ve read a lot of materials before and everything seemed to tell me that if you have the pot odds or the implied odds, you should call, even if you know you are behind, as if you hit you’ll be getting a good return on your investment. In case you don’t have the odds to call, against a drawing hand, you should fold. But then I ask myself, what if you have excellent pot odds, will this call for a raise?

Thanks for your time.

Best regards,
Andrew
Andrew,

While you may have excellent odds, they are still odds, they are not a sure thing. I would shy away from raising. While you may hit and win a bigger pot, if you miss, you will lose much more. You also set yourself up to let the person raise to a point where you don’t have odds.

Related articles:

1. Pot Odds Problems
2. Raising on the Flop with a Flush Draw to Obtain a Free Card
3. On Various Stack Sizes

Hi,

For once I used the 2/4 rule about post-flop percentages and it really helped me. But now I want to know if there is a short-cut way to calculate winning percentages pre-flop, what do you think?

Just recently I discovered that there are instances that multiplying your outs by 8 works. However at times, it seems not to work that much. For example, when you have a pocket pair vs. an over- and under-card (QQ vs. AJ). Well, I understand that there are some factors to consider first. For the most part, percentages are usually close. Your thoughts please.

Hope to hear from you soon.

Thanks!

Best regards,
Chester
Chester,

Invest in an odds calculator or create a chart to memorize preflop odds. Preflop is less about calculating odds as it is picking strong starting hands in proper position. If you need odds calculations to determine to play a particular starting hand, then you should probably fold.

Related articles:

1. Stats and Hand Grouping Percentages
2. Hand Groupings
3. Preflop Starting Hands Odds

Hello,

First, I would like to commend you for this wonderful site. It has been a great help to me and to many others as well. Thanks a lot!

Now for my question, how will you know that you are already pot committed? I often hear the line “He had to call the all in bet because he was pot committed”. I’m clueless on this.

Glad to hear from you in no time.

Thanks again!

Regards,
Rafael
Rafael,

Being pot committed means that you have so much money committed to the pot already that it would be a mathematical error to fold to another bet. This is more common in tournaments when someone is facing an all in or facing a big pot short stacked.

Related articles:

1. Pot Committed
2. What Should I do When I have KK?
3. NL Games

Hello,

First, I’ll start by sharing that I’m just new to poker. I started two months ago and before that I had no experience with poker but had gambled a lot in different ways. I am into no limit and limit.

Just a background, my poker adventure began with friendly game invites from various groups of buddies. And because I had no idea back then as to what I should do when on play, I attached myself to poker sites, books, and the like. Proud to say I was able to understand basic poker concepts, rules, feel, and even strategies. But of course as a starting player I guess it’s just normal that despite of everything, my mind is still clouded with some questions.

Some of the questions are actually below.

1. In a game, who is required to show his hand? And in what order should the hands be shown? In case you fold, I know you don’t have to show your hand, but what if everyone has called the bets?
2. I always here some players moaning about how online poker sites seem to juice the pot to later increase the rake from pot. I also here them say the juicing never happens in real brick and mortar games. Well, I have some thoughts on this, they’re about three-fold.

a. In an online game, the randomness is closer to true randomness than a brick and mortar game as it takes 57 and a half shuffles to finally randomize a deck of cards completely. Similarly, online poker is closer to true randomness than a home game.
b. Trends are more pronounced and the probability for everyone having a good hand at one instance is increased as players play and see more hands online than they actually do in brick and more games.
c. More or less, they are just sore losers and just like the players who claimed cheated or rigged in brick and mortar games.

Any thoughts?

By the way, the card shuffling statistical analysis I made has actually a basis. I took up a statistics course in a certain university so I know I’m capable of making stats.

Thanks in advance.

Regards,
Dense
Dense,

1. The last player to make an aggressive action (bet or raise) is the first person to show the hand. Only players that have their bet at the river are required to show their hands.
   
2. They are likely just complaining. Online sites such as Full Tilt and Pokerstars don’t need to juice the tables. They have so many players, they can make plenty of money from the normal rake. At any one time, they have 10,000 or more tables going. That’s a lot of rake.

Related articles:

1. About Randomness
2. Poker “Bots” and Legitimacy
3. Poker Pro

Hello,

Say in late position I started the hand with Js and 10c. Afterwards, everybody called. I also called and then flop appeared, Ah Qh 9s. I now have an open ended straight draw. Two out of five players who called pre-flop remains at such point. One player raised the other called. Then I called after I considered my odds and the pot odds. Turn came, 4h. Then same player raised. At such point maybe the other two guys have an ace and so I might win in case I draw the straight on the river. But I noticed three hearts were on the board and if either one of them has pocket hearts I will lose. Based on your probabilities chart there was a 1:4 chance of being dealt suited cards although I’m assuming the odds of being dealt suited hearts are 1:16. And with two or three players the odds that at least one of them has pocket hearts may be better than 1:16. Odds then were 1:4. I figured out with my open ended straight draw I have eight outs with about 1:6 odds of hitting it.

How do you think I can factor my opponents 1:4 odds of having a flush and beating me and my 1:6 odds of hitting the straight combined with the pot odds to ascertain whether or not I should call or fold?

Thanks a lot!

Regards,
Denz
Denz,

At the turn, with 8 outs, you have a 16% chance to hit your hand. If you don’t think your opponent has a flush, if the amount to call is 16% or less of the total pot, then take a shot at your draw. Otherwise, it is time to fold.

Related articles:

1. Pot Odds Problems
2. When to Draw
3. Playing With KK

Hello,

I’m actually here to ask something. Do you have a general catalog of all the hands, which listed hands a player would absolutely fold? I’m referring here to hands that players will fold more often, hands that players will always bet however not necessarily raise, and hands that players will always bet and at the same time raise.

Well, I’m not sure but you more or less raise group 1 hands always. But about the other groups, what do think players should do with them? And should you play hands in groups 6 & 7?

By the way, for the ones below what kind of general percentages would you expect to see? As a fairly new player I don’t know what will you expect aside from:

Saw the flop (90%)
Went to the river (41%)
Folded to a river bet (58%)
Showdowns won (42%)

I love playing online and of course I’m using play money. Just the other day I tried to play at some online $1-$2 tables and unfortunately lost. I must admit I’ve stayed on too many hands to begin with and let myself be trapped while trying to make a hand then.

Thanks in advance.

Regards,
Vincent
Vincent,

First, you are playing 9 out of 10 hands. You are playing way too many hands. You need to lookup general starting hands or buy a book or DVD about beginning holdem. Strong hands such as Aces, Kings, Queens, Jacks, and A-K suited can be played in most positions for a raise. Medium pairs down to 9’s and A-Q, A-J can be played for a raise from middle position. Other pairs can be played for a raise from late position. In other positions, the hands can be limp hands.

Related articles:

1. Hand Percentages
2. Sharing Information With Players Outside the Game
3. On Various Stack Sizes

Hi,

What’s the most effective way to say check when you’re in early position heads up or against two opponents? How about when you hit the table indicating you have a pretty strong hand which in turn makes players check behind you so you can then see one or maybe even two free cards?

By the way, what if you’re in the hand and you don’t really have much however you want to see the cards and then they bet big, will you fold?

Thanks in advance.

All the best,
Tristan
Tristan,

The best way to check is to pat the table twice or three times to indicate you are checking.

In regards to your second question, it depends on the hand. Do you have a big hand or a big draw? If you don’t have much in the pot and not much of a hand, you need to fold. If you have a hand, then call.

Related articles:

1. Raising on the Flop with a Flush Draw to Obtain a Free Card
2. High Cards in Early Position
3. Rule on Cards Touching the Muck

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.

Related articles:

1. Raising on the Flop with a Flush Draw to Obtain a Free Card
2. Played With Weakness
3. On Calling Stations

Hi,

I want to ask something. It’s about raising on the flop with a flush draw to obtain a free card. I’m wondering if you know what’s the logical and sound way to make this play in the event there’s action on the turn. Any thoughts?

Another thing, is the act of raising the flop to obtain a free card the best move when playing against 1 opponent with a made hand? And if a call and a bet appear, what do you think will happen?

Well, in limits things seem clear, but I’m clueless about the things to happen in case you miss on the turn. Is it worth calling a bet on the turn? But how about if they bet with a reasonable amount on the flop?

I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Many thanks!

Warm regards,
Leo
Leo,

Raising to get a free card is best to do with one or two opponents only. If they call, they may check on the turn to you. If they don’t, this gives you a better idea of the hand they have. But another thing is that if they call the raise, they may be laying you better odds to draw on the turn to you flush.

On the turn, you have to go by pot odds to determine to draw or not. If you have the proper odds, then call the bet. If you don’t, then fold.

Related articles:

1. When to Draw
2. With Implied Odds
3. High Cards in Early Position

Hello,

Do you think it is wise to switch your play from full table strategy to short table strategy or just go on based on concepts of full table in case you’re on the cusp between the two, say 6 or 7 players and two or three fold in front of you pre-flop?

Based on my own experience, most of the time I stack with my full table however once in a while I switch to short table strategy particularly when my starting hand comes with a face card. What’s your thoughts on this?

Thanks in advance!

Regards,
James
James,

I tend to stay at full table strategy until I get to around 5 players or so. The only time I switch this is when I am a big chip leader, or I am playing with some particularly bad players. Otherwise, don’t risk your chips.

Related articles:

1. From Full Tables to Short-Handed Ones
2. Pot Odds and the Cost to See Fourth Street
3. What’s Next After Knowing the Odds?

Hi there!

I don’t know when is the right time to call. I believe you have an idea on this. Well, for me it appears that only 3 buttons on my computer work, raise, bet and fold. Most of the time, I raise
as I trust my bluff and semi-bluff potential, I bet to test out the water and then raise to obtain useful information or give my opponent a tough time.

As of now, I’m into trouble when I can’t hit the flop. Usually, I end up folding a lot and it seems to me that the only way out is to call more.

Any thoughts?

Thanks,
Cezar
Cezar,

This depends on your read of the opponent and the texture of the flop. You should be leading out more on the flop when you raise preflop. When you don’t you are telegraphing that you missed the flop and players can take advantage.

Related articles:

1. On Various Stack Sizes
2. High Cards in Early Position
3. What’s Next After Knowing the Odds?

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,

Related articles:

1. Wrapping Players in Hand
2. On Blind Rules
3. Who Should Be the Next Dealer?

Hello,

What is chip dumping? I saw the term listed in 2007 WSOP Rules. I know you’re the best person to help me on this.

Thanks,
Lutz
Lutz,

This is a form of cheating.

Related articles:

1. Teamwork Cheating
2. Final Table Chip Count at WPT
3. About Chip Stacking

Hello,

Once you stated that “The rule is clear: If your cards touch the muck, it is considered a fold. It doesn’t matter if the cards are face-up or face-down”. Can you please explain this to me more?

Sorry if look funny here but I just want to understand things right.

Thank you very much in advance. I hope to hear from you soon.

Cheers,
Jones
Jones,

The muck is the pile of cards from players that have folded in the hand. In some casinos, when a hand hits this pile, the hand is dead. It doesn’t matter if the hand was is face up as in showdown, or mucked in a fold.

Related articles:

1. Want to See the Mucked Cards
2. Reshuffle or Not
3. About the Play With Adam Levy’s Ace in the Muck

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.

Related articles:

1. Rules Related to Home Tournaments
2. Played With Weakness
3. Strategy on Isolating an Opponent

Hi,

I was in an online event early this morning. I was in mid position with the largest stack and was dealt AA. For ten times the big blind, first position raised. I thought of isolating him and so I raised him. However, the dealer and the two blinds called my raise, same thing with the original bettor. Flop came and brought JTJ rainbow. Original raiser then placed a bet by which was 3/4 of his stack however didn’t went all in. I then placed him on KK, QQ, or even AT. I then opted to fold as three bettors were waiting and any of them had a J. Others left folded.

Well, I honestly believe that with my position, I was at a major disadvantage and so I wanted to know if you have any strategies in mind about how I should isolate an opponent. At some point, I believe I should have went all in. What do you think?

Thanks a lot and keep up the good work on this site!

Regards,

Corbeil
Corbeil,

I think your fold on the flop was good not because of your position but due to your opponents bet. He bet ¾ of his stack. This looks like someone trying to induce a call or a raise. He probably had A-J or maybe even J-J. I think you made a fantastic fold.

Related articles:

1. On Various Stack Sizes
2. Right Time to Call
3. Lots of Questions

Hello,

I have some questions to ask. They are actually related to some stuff I’ve come to discover without any intentions.

In some discussion sections, I’ve come to hear about No Limit Texas Holdem being something related to Deep Stack No Limit or extreme short stack No Limit. In the first one, you can actually play a wide variety of starting hands as the implied odds are excellent. The post flop play is also much complex as bluffing is much more helpful and useful. In the second one, position is very vital as a hand like ATo may be an allin hand right after several limpers in the event you are on the button, however in the event you are under the gun, an easy fold. In connection with this, say in a game, suited connectors seem like of no worth as you will never hit your hand enough while pocket pairs are valuable due to their value. Post flop play on the other hand is more on all-ins and folding.

Now, what hands become more or less playable in no limit games with medium stack? Say in a 1/2 game with effective stacks of $100, I’ll call $10 raises heads up with medium and low pocket pairs to try have a set. In case there no callers would appear, I might call a not so high raise but if in case I’m up against a good player I might fold a PP to a raise to avoid a beat. Then say suited connectors’ value is seriously dependent on the aggressiveness of the game and your position as well, earlier, you will most likely fold but later I’ll limp in when there’s a cheap multi-way flop.

On the other hand, high card hands like AK are where my stress level goes up. More or less in deep stack events on a K98 flop, I’ll fold my AK when things get worst. However in short stack events, it would be a different story. In medium stack events, I’ll be right on the fence.

Oftentimes, when I raise $10 preflop, I’ll get one caller and then flop would appear K98. I’ll then bet about $20 and they’ll push their 90$ stack in. In the end, I’ll get irritated. At times, I’ll be tempted to lay down all as I seem to fold more pretty good hands compared to my opponents at the table.

Now, here are my questions:

1. Is there anything I need to adjust when it comes to my pre-flop raising, limping and raise-calling requirements? And because such games tend to be aggressive post flop particularly online, do you think hands as suited connectors go down in terms of value due to lack of odds to draw? Do I need to call generously in late position or else it should be a no-set-no-bet level of tightness? What do you think?

2. In such games, how should I play marginal hands? I believe in deep stack no limit you don’t want to bet your stack but in short stack you will do everything to have your chips in the middle. How about in medium stack?

3. Say somebody is putting pressure on your head as he has something that could beat you or else just know you are playing tight, how would you play? What will be your defense?

4. When you are in position, what are the moves you should use?

   
   

5. Do you think there is a reason for you to semi-bluff with your primary draw in games where everyone overvalues their hands? Or else just stick to calling in the event you have implied odds or the like?

Thanks for your time.

Regards,
Nickerson
Nickerson,

1. As far as your preflop play, I would stick with trying to see flops cheap with a wide array of reasonable hands. Obviously you want to raise with strong hands, but otherwise, try to see a cheap flop and hope to hit it hard. As far as calling a raise, I would tend to stick with stronger hands to call raises, unless there is a lot of action. Then you can widen the range some, but not get too crazy.

   Hands such as suited connectors do go down in value when the betting is very aggressive post flop. If you play suited connectors, make sure that they are on the higher side to give you better odds of hitting top pair or two pair. In late position after the flop, what you call depends on what you are holding and the number of players and the opponent you are playing. Sometimes playing super tight is right. Sometimes it’s right to call. Poker is situational. It depends on what is going on at the time.

2. With marginal hands, I would try and see cheap flops for the ones that I do play. This is a form of small ball poker. Get in cheap and then punish your opponents when you do hit well.

3. One of two things can be done here. Switch to playing small ball and punish him when your hands hit the flop well or play tight and punish him when your big hands hit. Don’t go crazy and randomly raise or play hands that have no value. This will just bleed your stack.

4. In position, I would bet out on the flop when checked to me a little more often. Semi-bluffing is obviously one tool you should use as well. Raising when you have no hand is something I would reserve for players that I deem that are just trying to steal the pot.

5. When players overvalue their hands, I would stick with calling in the event you miss your draw. When you semi-bluff, you still must hit in order to win. If players overvalue their hands, a bluff will not force them off their hands.

Related articles:

1. Strategy on Isolating an Opponent
2. I Don’t Have Enough Discipline
3. Stats and Hand Grouping Percentages

Hello,

Most of the time, when I play KK pre-flop, I get series of bad beats. So now I’m wondering, is it wise to go all-in or call all-in with all my stack or else just fold and then hope for a much better hand?

Another thing, I don’t like calling all-in pre-flop and would just choose to wait for the flop for me to eventually make further sound decisions. Any insights on this?

Thank you very much.

Kirk
Kirk,

Calling all-in preflop with kings is a solid decision. I would do so and let the cards fall as they may.

Related articles:

1. On Pocket Aces
2. Choosing 6 7 Over Pocket Aces
3. Wrapping Players in Hand

Hello,

I was in a no limit event the other day with $4,000 buy-in and blinds 10/20. I had $3,500. At some point, everyone folded to me. When I was on the button, I got Ad 5s and then popped it up to 80. Eventually, small and big blind called. Then flop came and brought 5c 5d 7d. Later, SB and BB checked and so I placed 140$ bet, almost half the pot I believe.

Consequently, SB folded however BB raised to 380$. I then thought he had something weak therefore I tried to slow play. I then called. Turn came and brought 9d. Board then appeared as 5c 5d 7d 9d. Though there was a possibility for a straight and flush, I had Ad and trips therefore I had to fold then. Few seconds after and BB placed 700$ bet while I called.

River came and brought Qc. BB went all in for all my money. I remember I had around 2,200$ and in the pot, 4,800$. Finally, I folded.

In the end, he flipped over 44 and then laughed at me. I don’t know if I played just right. Well, I don’t think doing the slow play then was a bad move. But I believe I should have pushed all-in on turn with my flush draw and then had trips. Another thing, I don’t see how I should call on the river and the only stuff I beat was a bluff. What do you think?

Regards,
Collin
Collin,

At the river, there were lots of hands you could beat other than a bluff. I would have likely made the call with my set, especially since the player had been aggressive the whole way. Of course, I would have raised him at some point. Don’t slow play a set with a straight and flush draw possible.

Related articles:

1. Opponents Getting Mad
2. How Do You Find My Play?
3. Playing With KK