Value betting

[Robert]

This might be a fundamental question, but what excactly is "value betting" and when and how do you use it? I read about it in HoH, and I think I'm using it, but I wanna hear your oppinion on this subject, so I can confirm wether I'm on the right track.

[Staresy]

My understanding is that you are betting a good (probably best hand) but doing so to make your opponent to call, rather than to drive them out on a bluff or where u are protecting a vulnerable hand.

e.g. u hold 99 with an 8 hi rainbow board, you bet out strong to take down the pot and protect your hand whereas, you hold 99 with a A K 9 4 7 board, you would bet for value here because you want someone to call.

Hang on .....

http://www.dictionaryofgambling.com/...terms/poker/v/

Value Bet
Bet for value (Betting in order to raise the amount in the pot, not to make your opponents fold.).

so I think I was right!

[DavSimon]

I value bet quite a bit, trying to maximize my payoff....although some think I could bet more and still get called, I am generally conservative about it.
Essentially it is putting in a final bet or raise o the river that your opponent is "obligated" to call because of pot odds (since you might be bluffing) Of course if you are value betting you are not bluffing and you generally get paid off with an additional bet or two.

[vqc]

your betting in order to get as much money into the pot as possible.

quick question, does value betting only apply on the river?

[DavSimon]

your betting in order to get as much money into the pot as possible.

quick question, does value betting only apply on the river?

I suppose not....If you flop the nuts and slow/weak play them you are essentially value betting...or for instance flop a boat and know your opponent is drawing at a flush, you continue to bet or raise amounts that he can call because of pot odds for the draw.

Typically a value bet looke like this:
Blinds 300/600

You: :As: :Qs:
Opponent:

You raise from CO to 1800, Opp calls fro BB
Flop: :Qc:
Opponent bets pot $3900, you call with top pair and flush draw.
Turn:
Opponent put out flush feeler/rep bet of 1200, you simply call
River: :Jh:
Opponent bets 1200, instead of pushing or a large raise, you min raise to 2400. Opponent now feels he is probably beat, but there is so much money in the pot he can't fold to the min-raise in case you have just two pair or are bluffing.....at least that is how it worked out a little while ago.

[ihategnomes]

Typically you should value bet passive players and check call aggressive players. Im not saying all of the time or on every street, but for basic theory.

I thought value betting meant when betting a hand when you have a slighty better hand than who you are betting against. I.E. you have 99 on a flop of J72, you bet out for value and for information. These are the situations where you can bet for information. So I guess Id call it an informational value bet.

[loanhorse]

Make all of your value bets like continuation bets. That way your continuation bets will be respected if you show down a strong hand.