SCENARIO 22
You are in the bigs blind with:
Novice Nancy raises the pot holdem poker to $ 75 in first position and Tight Ted calls one spot in front of the button. Reckless Rick calls on the button. The small blind folds. Now it is your turn extrastuff.
What's Your Move?
A. Raise to $200
B. Fold
C. Call
Before the Flop Analysis
You have a pair of Nines, but there are lots of pairs and overcards to nines. You don't want to raise because one of the other poker players might have a larger pair. Since you are last to act, no one can reraise you before the flop if you just call. Calling to see the flop © is your best play.
Now suppose the flop comes glossary:
With $310 in the pot limit texas holdem
What's Your Move?
A. Bet $300
B. Move all-in
C. Check
After the Flop Analysis -First Move
You have flopped trip nines. Only one hand can beat you at this time, three aces. There is no flush poker draws on the flop, but there is a gutshot (inside) straight draw. For example, if someone has a 5-3 in his hand, he needs a deuce to make a straight. But this is a remote possibility since the pot was raised before the flop.
Since there aren't any good draws out against you, you are going to slow-play © your set of Nines in the hope that the other players put lots of chips in the pot after you check so that you can check-raise determining bet.
After you check the flop, Novice Nancy also checks, Tight Ted bets $300, and Reckless Rick folds. It is up to you.
What's Your Move?
A. Raise all-in
B. Call
C. Raise to $900
D. Fold
After the Flop Analysis - Second Move
You are very happy with your hand and want to get the maximum gaming money in this pot. Tight Ted probably has an ace with a big kicker. If he does, he is drawing very weak against your trips. You are going to smooth-call (B). You're hoping that Novice Nancy also calls Behind you. Your play is to wait until fourth street (the turn) to try to trap Ted for the rest of his chips (and perhaps trap Nancy, too).
SCENARIO 23
Now suppose Tight Ted limps in first position. You are sitting to his left with:
What's Your Move?
A. Fold
B. Raise to $125
C. Limp
First Move Analysis
Your pocket tens is not a strong pair especially after Tight Ted limps in suspiciously. You want to look at the flop as cheaply as possible in the hope of flopping a set Limping © is the correct play poker game.
After you call, authority Artie limps Behind you. Then Action Al raises the pot to $150. Everyone folds around to Tight Ted, who reraises to $400.
What's Your Move?
A. Call
B. Fold
C. Move all in
Second Move Analysis
With Tight Ted limping into the pot from up front and then reraising Action Al, you have to give him credit for a better hand than yours. Fold to fight another day (B).
Playing Small Pairs
Playing 6-6 through 2-2
When you have a small pair, you have even move over poker card game to worry about. With these small pairs, you will be looking at the flop only if you can get in cheap. After you see the flop, you will only play a large pot if you flop a set. Otherwise, you don't want to put any more money in the pot introduction.