Slow-Playing Aces
There are times when you might even want to slow-play with aces. Limping is one way to slow-play poker a big hand. You can limp (just call) when you think that someone will raise if you just limp into the pot. Another way that you can slow-play is By checking on the flop when you feel certain that an aggressive player cannot restrain himself from betting when you check.
The idea is to figure out the best way to get as much gaming money as possible into the pot, which you expect to win. Sometimes slow-playing is the only way to do that because if you bet, you are pretty sure that your opponents will fold their hands. Your check on the flop may allow them to catch up and possibly give you some action on your premium hand. Of course when you slow-play a big hand, you take the risk of getting out-flopped. You are simply gambling game that no one will get lucky against you.
Now let's have some fun with an "entertainment" feature of this Book-multiple choice questions designed to help you think your way through strategic tournament situations glossary.
SCENARIO 1
Suppose all the players have $1,000 in chips with the blinds at $10 and $25. You're sitting in first position. Looking down at your hole card game, you're thrilled to find:
How much should you open the pot for?
A. Open for $ 75-$100. This is the "normal" size of raise when the blinds are $10- $25. You are hoping that someone will reraise play holdem so that you can get all in before the flop.
B. Call the minimum $25 big blind in the hope that several players will limp behind you, followed by a raiser who raises of $100, for example. If this happens, you can reraise them to possibly get a lot of chips in before the flop no limit holdem.
Analysis
Both A and B are the correct plays. We recommend that you play the strategy in Example A when you first start out because it is "safer" and will help keep you out of trouble. We would rather see you use Example B after you get more poker experience reading your opponents.
SCENARIO 2
Now suppose all the players have $1,000 in chips, the blinds are $10 and $25, and you are on the button with:
Passive Paul, the first online poker player after the big blind, limps in for $25. Aggressive Al raises to $200 and everyone passes introduction to you on the button. The two blinds and Passive Paul can still act after you do before the flop.