Advanced Betting Strategies

Once you have mastered the betting basics described in the previous article, it is time to employ these advanced methods that will sharpen your game.

One excellent move is the "check/raise" strategy. If you check during a round of betting, most players will likely believe you have a mediocre hand or are on a draw. However, if you really have an excellent hand and are trying to cause unpredictability or just plain confusion or fear in the minds of other players, use the check raise strategy.

The Check Raise

Here's how it's done: at your turn, if nobody else has betted, casually check, thus passing the betting opportunity on to others. If someone else after you bets, when it comes back to you, to call, fold, or reraise, reraise them aggressively. At least double their original bet. So from the other player's perspectives, here's a player who just acted like they have nothing originally, and are now representing good cards. By playing back aggressively this way, you create a serious doubt in the original better's mind about whether they are holding the best hand or not. However, be warned that in many of these situations, aggressive players will call or may reraise your reraise with their all-in. So only use the check raise system when you are sure you have the best hand, or you are very confident that the original better is bluffing.

Milking the Pot

Another technique is know as "milking the pot." This means hooking players who are on draws with gradually increasing bets each hand. The idea is that by the end when you bet a little bigger, the players figure "wow, I've already put so much into this pot, I should just call this last bet in case there is a chance I have the highest hand, or he/she is bluffing." This strategy is quite effective in casinos against strung-out players who don't know when to fold.

Overbetting the Pot

This is a very interesting technique which was illustrated very well in the opening poker scene of the hit movie "Rounders." Matt Damon explains that he flops top two pair. He says his opponent will know he has good cards if he places a small bet, like he would against an average player. So instead, he bets large, representing a bluff. His opponent beats him with pocket aces at the end of the scene, the only possible higher hand, but this is besides the point. The point is, this is a technique to be used against only very good players, who analyze the game psychologically, and will think you are trying to bluff them out when you bet aggressively just after the flop.

There are other betting techniques but this article has covered the main three. Ultimately, you just need to practice what works best for you. Try to learn as much as you can about your opponents and their betting habits. Being able to predict their moves is just as important as how you bet. Lastly, try to learn to be a good actor. When you have the highest possible hand, and want to reraise a player, don't do it quickly with excitement. Instead, let out a sigh, and sit back looking troubled for a long period of time, acting as though you are pondering a call. Being a good actor will make you a better poker player, and on top of that, it's fun!

__________________
Remember to throw them in the minute they can't win.