The main skill involved in poker is knowing how and when to bet against certain types of players. Anyone can fold until they get good cards. It's how you play them that counts.

The first step in understanding how to bet is to know how amateurs usually bet. Suppose an amateur has a pair of aces from the flop. He will usually bet a little the first round. Then bet more the next round, and then even more the last round, provided there are no possible straights, flushes, or full houses. The problem with this betting habit is that its incredibly obvious. If you have a good hand, usually something better than just the pair used as an example, you don't want to make it obvious. Part of being a good poker player is being unpredictable.

So, if you are confident that you have the highest hand, then what you are trying to accomplish is to keep as many players in the hand, and to call the maximum bet that you think they will call. If you suspect a player is on a draw (waiting for a card to help them), then bet a small amount. They will call the bet to wait and see if they get the card they need. Likewise, if you bet too boldly, they will fold.

If you already know that a player tends to bluff and try to bully the other players out of the hand, you can check until the end, just calling bets others make, and this way they will be surprised if your hand is better.
In no limit hold 'em, if you are positive that you have the highest hand, that is, it isn't mathematically possible for anyone to beat you, if others have bet, you may as well reraise at your turn or go all in, just in case one of them believes you are bluffing, this way you'll make extra profit.

Stay tuned for next time when we will discuss advanced psychology and betting strategies.
© 2005 - Varoujan Arman (AcesHigh - site moderator) All rights reserved.





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