Maximizing Small-Stakes In Texas Holdem

Maximizing Small-Stakes In Texas Holdem

More post-flop play in loose, passive low- limit holdem games.In this column, the format is presented with the problem and the answer. Remember that all the problems are based on a loose low-limit game.

Holdem Hand No. 1:

You have the 9V 2+ in the big blind. Two players limp in, the small blind completes, and you check (four small bets). The flop is 9+ 8+ 3V, giving you top pair. The small blind bets. What should you do?

Fold Getting 5-to-i pot odds looks favorable. These odds suggest that you need to win only 17 percent of the time to call profitably. But your true odds are much worse than 5-to-i. If you have the best hand, you are unlikely to get a lot of action from weaker poker hands. A very strong case can be made for rising. Many low-limit players will bet any piece of the flopin this situation (unraised pot, small field, non-threatening board). The range of hands for the small blind is enormous. The small blind could have bottom pair, middle pair, a pocket pair, a flush draw, or a straight draw. Your top pair beats all of these hands. You can play quite accurately on the later streets because of the caliber of opponent you are facing. While pot size is an important consideration, so is the likelihood of your having the best hand.

Holdem Hand No. 2:

You have the KV K+ in middle position. Two texas holdem players limp in and the player to your right raises. You reraise the button calls,the blinds fold, and the limpers call. Now, the player to your -right makes it four bets, which is a cap. Everyone calls. There are 21.5 bets in the pot. The flop is 1O+ 9 5+. It is checked to the pre flop capper, who bets. What should you do? In the actual hand, the player raise, and everyone called. There is interesting advice, but there are some problems. The turn may not get bet, for a variety of reasons. Just because someone bets the flop doesn't mean that person will bet the turn, especially when a large number of players (who did many mistakes) are still hanging around. You probably have the best hand, so the flop raise is profitable.