dark_horse
03-14-2005, 01:25 AM
in my quest to not ram and jam too much with overcards on the flop, i'd like to devise a roundabout (but in no way "use this every time") code on when to fold and when to keep playing on the flop when you don't hit your AK or what have you.
let's say UTG limps, you raise on the button, SB folds, BB calls, and UTG calls. that puts 6.5 SB into the pot. for the sake of this theory, let's say you have no reads on anyone, but if you're bet at, you know you're behind. BB checks and UTG bets out, putting 7.5 SB into the pot. you believe your 6 outs are all good, and you need 6.7:1 to call. the pot is laying you good odds so you call, knowing the free card play won't work with this particular player because most likely he'll bet again on the turn (if you believe free card play works, use it, but for this theory and in order to make the decision "easier" let's say we know he bets out on turn).
BB calls, and the turn brings no help. BB checks, UTG bets again. this time you believe BB will fold no matter what you do. that puts 5.75 BB into the pot, so we fold.
now let's change the situation. let's say UTG limps, we raise, and both blinds fold and we're heads up. 5.5 SB in pot before flop. flop comes no help and SB bets out. the pot has 6.5 SB in it, and we need 6.7:1 to call. it's tough to lay down here, but should we most of the time, considering UTG is not tricky and will bet out with any pair?
so, trying to formulate a basic rule of thumb. if you are only in the pot with one limper or the BB and they bet out at you on the flop, fold. if you're in there with two or more players, stick around for the turn. again, this is all assuming free card play rarely works. i know poker is a game of situations. but it's nice to have these little theories in the back of your head to keep your emotions grounded and decisions sound.
let's say UTG limps, you raise on the button, SB folds, BB calls, and UTG calls. that puts 6.5 SB into the pot. for the sake of this theory, let's say you have no reads on anyone, but if you're bet at, you know you're behind. BB checks and UTG bets out, putting 7.5 SB into the pot. you believe your 6 outs are all good, and you need 6.7:1 to call. the pot is laying you good odds so you call, knowing the free card play won't work with this particular player because most likely he'll bet again on the turn (if you believe free card play works, use it, but for this theory and in order to make the decision "easier" let's say we know he bets out on turn).
BB calls, and the turn brings no help. BB checks, UTG bets again. this time you believe BB will fold no matter what you do. that puts 5.75 BB into the pot, so we fold.
now let's change the situation. let's say UTG limps, we raise, and both blinds fold and we're heads up. 5.5 SB in pot before flop. flop comes no help and SB bets out. the pot has 6.5 SB in it, and we need 6.7:1 to call. it's tough to lay down here, but should we most of the time, considering UTG is not tricky and will bet out with any pair?
so, trying to formulate a basic rule of thumb. if you are only in the pot with one limper or the BB and they bet out at you on the flop, fold. if you're in there with two or more players, stick around for the turn. again, this is all assuming free card play rarely works. i know poker is a game of situations. but it's nice to have these little theories in the back of your head to keep your emotions grounded and decisions sound.