What does it mean when an opponent makes an odd-sized bet?

[fatdave]

I put this in the Psychology forum because it tends to throw me off the hand a little bit, because I really don't know how to react.

Does it mean anything when an opponent bets something like 1111 or 555? Does it represent them doing anything other than confusing me?

Additionally, does it usually signify a weaker starting hand (or bluff) when somebody bets an amount to "level out" their stack, say when somebody has 12938, and they bet 2938 (making their stack an even 10,000)?

A 222/333 example:

NL Texas Hold'em Tournament
Level:5 Blinds (50/100)

Seat 1 is the button
Total number of players : 10
Seat 1: Seat 1 ( $5246 )
Seat 2: Seat 2 ( $2740 )
Seat 3: Hero ( $1610 )
Seat 4: Seat 4 ( $617 )
Seat 5: Seat 5 ( $1345 )
Seat 6: Seat 6 ( $2245 )
Seat 7: Seat 7 ( $859 )
Seat 9: Seat 8 ( $2030 )
Seat 10: Seat 10 ( $1820 )
Seat 8: Seat 8 ( $6555 )

Level:5 Blinds (50/100)
** Dealing down cards **
Dealt to Hero [ 9d Kd ]
Seat 4 folds.
Seat 5 folds.
Seat 6 raises [222].
Seat 7 folds.
Seat 8 calls [222].
Seat 8 folds.
Seat 10 folds.
Seat 1 folds.
Seat 2 folds.
Hero calls [122].
** Dealing Flop ** [ Th, 9s, 3d ]
Hero checks.
Seat 6 bets [333].
Seat 8 folds.
Hero ???

[GoCubsGo]

If I had to say anything about them, it probably means a slightly better hand than if he just bet 225. I say this because it takes twice as long to type in 222, so he's showing interest in the hand. However, the only time I've ever done one of these bets was when I was bored and wanted to make my opponent say WTF? Didn't mean I was any stronger or weaker.

[Hellmouth]

I work in a setting with a coworker who does this kind of thing when setting numbers on a piece of lab equipment.

Since ultimately the number is close, I asked her why. She said, "Its just easier and faster to type the same number 2 or three times."

I would guess that this is the mark of several things.

1) Maybe someone multitabling who needs to type fast. =>Possibly a good player.

2) Someone who is a bad typer or very lazy => may be a reflection of a lazy or bad player

3) Someone who is less interested in what they are doing at poker than something else => may be watching a movie or talking on the phone.

Look for other tells that it is a bad player and if you see them than try to exploit this a new piece of knowledge while betting.

Greg

[Phogster]

[ QUOTE ]
I work in a setting with a coworker who does this kind of thing when setting numbers on a piece of lab equipment.

[/ QUOTE ]

Lol. I do the same thing on my microwave.

For someone that hasn't seen this kinda betting, it can be intimidating, like that guy that goes "quack quack" and bets 22000 every other flop.

[img]/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img]

[XXXNoahXXX]

He clearly had a set of 3s right?

[Forbin]

I do this in online NL tourneys. Partially because it seems to confuse/annoy some people, and partially to keep things interesting.

However I generally pick "interesting" numbers near what I think I should bet. For preflop opening raises I'll pick one and stick with it for that level. Examples would be with a 150 chip big blind I might make it 420 to go as my standard opening raise, or if it's 200, I might make it 666 chips, which bothers a lot of people.

Later on, if I think 1500 is the right bet I might make it 1492, or if 1700-1800 is a good range I might make it 1776. 2112 is another good one. The possibilities are endless.


But that's just me. 222 is easier to type for the lazy than 225 is, so that might've been his reason, and then 333 just has a nice ring to it if he previously bet 222 and it was near his optimal bet.

[Jeebus]

it definately confused you though didn'tit?

Here is my take on it:

It may simply mean they are conservative players, and I will explain why. There is a fairly common tell that if somebody keeps their chip stacks nice and neat, often evenly divided in a concrete system, they are usually a conservative player.

So, I'd say there is a better chance than not that if this person is trying to make his stack end in a 0 or a 5, they are trying to keep their "stack" nice and neat.

Just a thought, anyways.

If someone is betting to keep their stacks rounded to the closest 5 or 10, start betting in amounts that forces her to leave this standard. This should have a similar effect as when betting into a player who is keeping her 'even' money in a seperate stack. She won't want to call unless she can stomach getting off this perfect number (a good hand will typically alleviate this psychological trauma).

I used to do this to gain small amounts of money in small stakes. For example, I would bet $4.99 to avoid showing that red chip, making my bet look more attractive (or more intimidating, depending on my opponent).

Typically though, it does take longer to select an awkward number, and this would generally mean the player is interested in the hand.

Long time reader first time poster here... I normally play in ring games and am infamous for making odd sized bets. For the most part I have a general idea of what i want to bet for example if i want to bet $25 i'll randomly type in $23.87. Close enough to 25$ to me and i'm not gonna sweat over the potential $1.13 i could win. For the most part for me it takes a bit of the dull out of grinding. But it is interesting to note how often i get players that actually get angered by my odd sized bets. So lately it has become a psychological thing as well. Any edge i can use to put players in a position that i can take advanatge of them i'm more then willing to use. As mentioned above, i also do it to avoid the larger chip showing up on the screen... ie... i will bet 4.99 instead of 5. It's like going shopping and seeing all the XX.99 signs... it's an attempt to induce a call.