SCENARIO 60
The flop:
you are sitting under the game with
Before the flop, you raised to $100 under the gun. Sitting to your immediate left, Tight Ted called. Novice Nancy called on the button and Action Al called from the big blind . With four players in action, the pot limit holdem size was $420 before the flop. On the flop, action Al bets $200 from the bigs blinds. Now it's your turn to act.
What's Your Move?
Analysis
Your hand was a raising hand before the flop. You didn't like seeing Tight Ted come into pot because you know that he has a hand good enough to justify calling your pre-flop raise. The good news is that he didn't reraise, meaning that he probably doesn't have a big pair. Of course just calling doesn't mean for sure that he doesn't have a big pair no limit holdem.
Good player poker are capable of making a deceptive play in which they flat-call a raise with a big pair in the hope of luring other players into the pot. The flop wasn't what you were looking for, although the good news is that you have two overcards.
The bad gaming news is that if you hit
an ace and someone has an A-J, you will be in big trouble.
The Strategy We Suggest
Fold. Ooops! We missed the flop. When Al bets in front of you, he could be pushing you into the fire if you call. Even if he doesn't have you beaten, Ted or Nancy probably does. Seven card stud the chips for another hand.
SCENARIO 61
The flop:
You are in the $25 big blind holding:
Before the flop, everyone folded to Action Al on the button. Al raised to $75 and the little blind folded. You called. On the J-J-7 flop, you are first to act.
What's Your Move?
Analysis
You know that Action Al likes to mix it up. He enjoys stealing blinds and doesn't have to have a big hand to try it. Your pocket tens is an underpair to the flop, but still could be the best hand. From Al's point of view, which play could you make that would make your hand look the strongest to him?
Should you bet at the pot, or should you try for a check-raise?
If you check, there's a good chance that Al will bet, setting up the check-raise. If you check and he checks Behind extrastuff you, a warning light should go on in your head. What kind of hand would be check with? You must suspect that he has a jack.
The Strategy We Suggest
Check to Al. If he bets Between $100-$150, for example, raise him about one and a half times what he bet (a $150-$225 raise). If he plays Back at you (he reraise), throw your tens away. If Al checks after you check, continue to check the flop and river because you suspect that he could be slow-playing a jack introduction.
If you think things through online poker, you can see the kinds of head games that often are played between opponents. You will understand them better the more advanced you get.