08-02-2005, 05:47 AM
Sometimes at a table you will have determined an opponent is an avid Twoplustwo reader and poster. In this case, straightforward poker with lots of value betting and raising is poor strategy. It becomes correct in this circumstance to play irrationally to set the opponent off balance. You must go for what is known as "The Trifecta."
The Trifecta is right for 12 reasons:
1) You have determined that you have the best hand and don't want to give any free cards.
2) You don't want to lose any customers.
3) You need to play at a higher limit where people will respect your raises.
4) Fit or fold.
5) You have a reverse implied equity edge, and may be dominated by the raiser.
6) You must raise for information.
7) Folding is clearly wrong.
8) The pot is medium.
9) The raiser is on tilt.
10) Don't raise on the come.
11) Never raise with aces, your opponents will correctly chase and you will always lose.
12) Call to the river with small pocket pairs, your implied odds far outweigh any equity deficit.
Here's an example of a time when you should consider using the Trifecta:
Party Poker 0.50/1 Hold'em (9 handed) converter (http://www.selachian.com/tools/bisonconverter/hhconverter.cgi)
Preflop: TRIFECTAGOD is BB with 7/images/graemlins/heart.gif, 4/images/graemlins/diamond.gif.
<font color="#666666">3 folds</font>, <font color="#CC3333">MP2 raises</font>, <font color="#666666">1 fold</font>, CO calls, <font color="#666666">1 fold</font>, SB calls, TRIFECTAGOD calls.
Flop: (8 SB) 6/images/graemlins/diamond.gif, 3/images/graemlins/diamond.gif, Q/images/graemlins/heart.gif <font color="#0000FF">(4 players)</font>
SB checks, TRIFECTAGOD checks, <font color="#CC3333">MP2 bets</font>, CO calls, SB calls, <font color="#CC3333">TRIFECTAGOD raises</font>, MP2 calls, CO calls, SB calls.
Turn: (8 BB) A/images/graemlins/diamond.gif <font color="#0000FF">(4 players)</font>
SB checks, TRIFECTAGOD checks, <font color="#CC3333">MP2 bets</font>, CO folds, SB calls, <font color="#CC3333">TRIFECTAGOD raises</font>, <font color="#CC3333">MP2 3-bets</font>, SB calls, TRIFECTAGOD calls.
River: (17 BB) 2/images/graemlins/heart.gif <font color="#0000FF">(3 players)</font>
SB checks, TRIFECTAGOD checks, <font color="#CC3333">MP2 bets</font>, SB calls, <font color="#CC3333">TRIFECTAGOD raises</font>, MP2 calls, SB calls.
Final Pot: 23 BB
Results in white below: <font color="#FFFFFF">
TRIFECTAGOD has 7h 4d (high card, ace).
MP2 has Td Jd (flush, ace high).
SB has 7d 8d (flush, ace high).
Outcome: MP2 wins 23 BB. </font>
The turned flush, how can I beat that? It was not our opponent's luck, however, that cost us this pot. It was not executing the Trifecta correctly! You check-raised three times drawing dead, and didn't charge the flush draw enough. This man clearly did not respect your raises, and you should have switched tables and Trifectaed the $10/$20 with confidence. Be careful when attempting this play, as with all decisions in poker you must consider your opponent(s) and the size of the pot.
The Trifecta is right for 12 reasons:
1) You have determined that you have the best hand and don't want to give any free cards.
2) You don't want to lose any customers.
3) You need to play at a higher limit where people will respect your raises.
4) Fit or fold.
5) You have a reverse implied equity edge, and may be dominated by the raiser.
6) You must raise for information.
7) Folding is clearly wrong.
8) The pot is medium.
9) The raiser is on tilt.
10) Don't raise on the come.
11) Never raise with aces, your opponents will correctly chase and you will always lose.
12) Call to the river with small pocket pairs, your implied odds far outweigh any equity deficit.
Here's an example of a time when you should consider using the Trifecta:
Party Poker 0.50/1 Hold'em (9 handed) converter (http://www.selachian.com/tools/bisonconverter/hhconverter.cgi)
Preflop: TRIFECTAGOD is BB with 7/images/graemlins/heart.gif, 4/images/graemlins/diamond.gif.
<font color="#666666">3 folds</font>, <font color="#CC3333">MP2 raises</font>, <font color="#666666">1 fold</font>, CO calls, <font color="#666666">1 fold</font>, SB calls, TRIFECTAGOD calls.
Flop: (8 SB) 6/images/graemlins/diamond.gif, 3/images/graemlins/diamond.gif, Q/images/graemlins/heart.gif <font color="#0000FF">(4 players)</font>
SB checks, TRIFECTAGOD checks, <font color="#CC3333">MP2 bets</font>, CO calls, SB calls, <font color="#CC3333">TRIFECTAGOD raises</font>, MP2 calls, CO calls, SB calls.
Turn: (8 BB) A/images/graemlins/diamond.gif <font color="#0000FF">(4 players)</font>
SB checks, TRIFECTAGOD checks, <font color="#CC3333">MP2 bets</font>, CO folds, SB calls, <font color="#CC3333">TRIFECTAGOD raises</font>, <font color="#CC3333">MP2 3-bets</font>, SB calls, TRIFECTAGOD calls.
River: (17 BB) 2/images/graemlins/heart.gif <font color="#0000FF">(3 players)</font>
SB checks, TRIFECTAGOD checks, <font color="#CC3333">MP2 bets</font>, SB calls, <font color="#CC3333">TRIFECTAGOD raises</font>, MP2 calls, SB calls.
Final Pot: 23 BB
Results in white below: <font color="#FFFFFF">
TRIFECTAGOD has 7h 4d (high card, ace).
MP2 has Td Jd (flush, ace high).
SB has 7d 8d (flush, ace high).
Outcome: MP2 wins 23 BB. </font>
The turned flush, how can I beat that? It was not our opponent's luck, however, that cost us this pot. It was not executing the Trifecta correctly! You check-raised three times drawing dead, and didn't charge the flush draw enough. This man clearly did not respect your raises, and you should have switched tables and Trifectaed the $10/$20 with confidence. Be careful when attempting this play, as with all decisions in poker you must consider your opponent(s) and the size of the pot.