Representing a Solid Poker Hand
Wednesday, June 23, 2010 6:30 PM
When playing in any cash game, it is important to know that you will not always be dealt the best playing cards (especially in any 6-10 handed ring games) and that a good player should be ready to represent a strong hand, even when you are in a weak hand situation. Representing a strong hand (as a mild Bluff) will always work best if you believe that your opponent(s) are holding weak to mid-range hands.Let's look at this example, (in a 9 handed cash game / 2 way pot) - ($1/$2 NL), you are dealt
under the gun, you limp in $2. Players fold all around. The big blind checks. ($5 in the pot) The flop comes:
Player bets $2, you call $2. ($9 in the pot) Already you can assume that the player is not playing off an Ace, as he would most likely have raised by this point, with a pair of Aces. The turn comes:
Player checks. Now, knowing that he most likely does not hold an Ace in his hand, as he would have put money into the pot hitting a pair of Aces on the flop and most likely not running of a flush or flush draw as well, from his check play ....this is where you can bet BIG and take control of the hand and represent yourself either a pair of Aces and also represent a flush that hit. BET BIG in this case. Minimum bet would be pot size or higher ($9+). The player is more likely to be holding KQ off suit, small pair, or small connectors like 2,3. You bet $10 ....even with your 9s 10s, you now represent a solid pair of Aces or possible flush or flush draw. The player will most likely fold in this situation and you take the pot!
Knowing to act BIG even when you're small in hand rankings will make great pots and earnings for you, over time. Make sure you can get a good read on your opponent before committing to a large bet and make sure their hand range is weak to mid-range at best. If so, representing a BIG hand will rake you in a lot of pots by being the aggressor and dominant player.
It really doesn't matter what cards you hold, if you can represent a BIG hand ...when your opponent is weak or mid-range. The odds will now shift in your favor and so will the earnings!