Poker Betting
Betting
strategies can be varied, but should should be built upon the simple
idea that, by betting, the player can take control of
the hand. By betting, as opposed to checking, the
bettor may force out a particular opponent who is not
prepared to call the bet. This is especially
valuable when the bettor does not hold much of a hand,
either (in this case the bet would be considered a bluff). It is said that 'betting provides equity'
and this is an example of exactly what this statement
means. By betting a player with a potentially
inferior hand may cause another player with a slightly stronger hand
to fold and, thus, forfeit the pot. In the following
paragraphs, we will examine the different types of betting and the
strategy considerations behind each.
Leading
Betting may allow the
initial, or lead bettor, to control the hand. The initial
bettor can sometimes force another player out by showing strength
via his or her bets. Unfortunately, the player who is the
lead-off bettor does NOT have any information about the hands of the
other players at this point and must decide whether to proceed
aggressively (by betting) or cautiously (by checking). Aggressiveness
is typically rewarded because by betting the bettor is giving his or
her opponents the opportunity to fold.
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Position
Position is a key
consideration because a player's betting position can dictate the
amount of information that is available to them when it comes time
for them to act. For instance, the lead bettor, in our example
above, must decide whether or not to bet BEFORE seeing what his
opponent (s) are going to do. At this point, because the
bettor must act first, there is no information available to
him. Contrast this scenario with one in which the bettor is
last, as opposed to first, to act. Now the bettor knows
whether his opponent has decided to check or bet--he has additional
information--and can decide on the appropriate course of action.
For
example, let's suppose the bettor who is last to act has been
checked to. Now, this player can decide to: 1) Check in
return, thus allowing himself the opportunity to see another card
WITHOUT contributing any additional money to the pot (this is
sometimes referred to as getting a free card). 2) Bet
with the knowledge that his opponent has checked and may have a weak
hand which he will fold to a bet. In the second scenario, the
player who is last to act, does have to consider the
likelihood that his opponent may have checked to him with the
intention of check-raising.
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Check-raise
The
check raise is a powerful weapon that can only be used by the
initial or lead bettor. This technique consists of the lead
bettor checking with the intention of raising should his or her
opponent bet. Because the player who is last to act may be
check-raised by an opponent who has initially checked, the player
who acts last does have certain considerations to make before
betting each and every time this player is checked to. Namely,
the player who is last to act must consider: 1) How likely is it
that I will be check raised if I bet and 2) What action will I take
should I get check raised by my opponent? If the player who
acts last has a hand with potential, such as a drawing hand, it may
be beneficial to see an additional card for free by checking and not
allowing his opponent the opportunity to check-raise. If the
player who is last to act has a weak hand, it may be correct to bet
if checked to and fold if raised, or decide at a later point in the
hand what the correct strategy is, if called.
In
conclusion, the astute poker player has many different strategies
available to them and by understanding each individual technique, as
well as the potential outcome of employing any given strategy, this
player will be more likely to choose the correct course of action
during a given poker hand, which will lead to more winning sessions
and a deeper understanding of the game.
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