A Tip 100-200NL

[Vi-Zer0Skill]

I have a small piece of information that a lot of newer players to this limit will probably find quite useful. I found out about this fairly recently through a wonderful website called cardrunners.com... i am not getting paid by them to say this but please everyone subscribe to it is so soooo cheap for the educational gain you will recieve.

Anyways, back to the point. I see this bet fairly often by non-regulars at these limits:

And, i only take advantage of this in HU pots when i am the pf raiser and have position. Also, against most regulars i am going to suspect a small bet like the one below to be a trap more than a weak lead.

FullTiltPoker Game #2364979098: Table Arlington Bridge - $1/$2

Hero: ($198)
Villan: ($207)
6 other players

*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Hero: [Tc Ah]
5 folds
Hero: raises to $7
1 fold
Villan: calls $5
*** FLOP *** [8s 6c Qd]
Villan: bets $4

I used to call behind when i had a weak hand in this spot, and raise when i had a good one. I suspect i lost a lot of money by not continuing to be aggressive when i was in this spot. Raising on this board is particularly good because it is so dry that villan will fold an even higher % of the time (he probably doesn't have a draw). But, even on a fairly textured flop, i will probably still raise a small bet like this.

Hero: raises to $20
Villan: folds

Somewhat obviously, if he calls you are going to want to shut down, because he probably has at least a Queen and may be trapping with two pair or a set. Even if an Ace hits the turn i would check behind and, if checked to again, make a value bet. If he were to lead the river it would be tough - i think a case for folding could be made since he showed a lot of strength by calling your flop reraise OOP on a pretty dry board. <--- Comments on that would be appreciated.

[Duckslayer2k]

I agree... it works a large percentage of the time...

[Vi-Zer0Skill]

I agree... it works a large percentage of the time...

I figured that you probably already know this, seeing as you were playing 400NL the last time i saw you. Mostly that post was meant to be advice for newer players to 100-200NL like myself. It's been a while since i have seen you on FTR, are you 600NL+ now?

[Fnord]

Raising the Flop vs Floating is a topic I would like to explore.

[Vi-Zer0Skill]

Raising the Flop vs Floating is a topic I would like to explore.

Wow, this is a broad and complex topic. I was trying to write something but it was getting really long


Well i deleted all the specific flop textures, because i noticed the general pattern of my thoughts on the subject:

Assuming you are IP HU against an unknown...

1). The more draws that are possible on the flop, the more likely i am to just float the flop, and play the turn accordingly. If they lead weak again, i usually raise. If they lead strong, i usually give them credit for a hand and fold. Due to how passive this line is, i think you have to call the turn with hands like TP, and fold to another strong bet on the river.

2). The less draws that are possible on the flop, the more likely i am to raise the flop. This is because it is more likely that they are leading with MP/ medium PP's than draws or very strong hands. Even on the few times that they call your flop raise they will usually give those hands up on the turn if you lead strong again. If they weak bet/call, weak bet turn i think you can then just call, and like 75% of the time their river bet will be PS.


And then the standard actions for the other situations i didn't touch on (you get 3bet on the flop with air, you should probably fold etc.).


I hope others feel inclined to contribute. It is quite likely that two paragraphs failed to effectively cover the entire topic, particulary when you are in other positions against different players.

[Galapogos]

I always treat these weak little bets no differently than I would treat villain had he checked.