In my past two columns, I analyzed a hand from a $1-$2 cash game in which our hero got into a challenging spot with
One of the players, who limped and then called our raise, bet $10 into a $48 pot on a
With this board, I don’t think any worse hands will call, nor will any better hands fold, so at this point our hero should have just called. Also, our opponent only started the hand with $140, so we’re letting him know he’ll be committed to the pot if he continues. He happens to just call, which is exactly what I would do with a big hand and wanted to get all the money in the pot.
Coming back over the top would get my opponent to fold worse hands and I expect him to put me all-in on the turn if I just call on the flop.
The turn was the
straightforwardly, but he could’ve found out this information cheaper by slowing down and thinking during the hand.
KEY POINTS: When new to the table, don’t be in a rush to play. Take time to get adjusted and don’t get yourself into difficult spots playing hands such as K-J in multiway pots.
• Before betting or raising, think about two questions: “Am I in a way-ahead or way-behind situation?” and “Can I get a better hand to fold or a worse hand to call?”
Note how many concepts can be analyzed in just one hand. Be sure to not just chalk it up to a cooler, but look at everything you can learn from the hand to win more or lose less in future hands. Learn to be thankful for many of the hands you lose because of how much you learn from analyzing them objectively.
Decide to Win!
— Lee Childs is the founder and lead instructor at Inside the Minds. For information about his group training sessions and personal coaching, visit inside-the-minds.com.