Situational Poker - Slowplaying

Friday, October 21th., 2005 (By the PokerStrategyKing)

What do you do when you have a monster hand? Do you go and bet out hoping to be played back at or do you sit back and slow-play? By slow-playing I mean playing it weakly by either checking or just calling in order to get opponents to bet into you, thinking they are ahead. This is a deceptive tactic and can help you maximize your profits. Similarly like check-raising, some players fall into the trap of doing this much too often and players catch up and beat them. I'm not saying its not a good tactic, just don't fall in love with it. Today, I'll go over a few examples of slow-playing hands.

Hand No. 1 - You are in the small blind with the pocket 8's. An early-position player and a middle-position player limp in and. The big blind now raises to $10, and everyone calls. There's $40 in the pot and four players. The flop is 8c-10s-Qs. You need to after this pot now. Your bottom set looks nice but this is a very coordinated board with both straight and flush possibilities. You may even already be behind. Slow-playing here is a huge mistake but one that many players make. They believe just because they have a set, it's unbeatable. Here, you have 4 opponents. They must have something near this board don't you think?

Hand No. 2 - You limp in from early position with the Ac Js. The small blind also limps in. There is $6 in the pot and three players.

The flop is Qc Jh Jd, giving you a 3 Jack. Both blinds check. What do you do? If you bet here, you will chase your 2 limping opponents away and take home a small pot. I would check here and hope your opponents catch something our if they hold a small pocket pair or weak Queen, they will come out betting the Turn.

Hand No. 3 -: You are in middle position seat with the pocket Queens. An early-position player and two middle-position players limp in. You raise to $12 and the button plus both blinds fold. Everyone else calls. There is $51 in the pot and four players.

The flop is Qd 6h 5c, giving you top set. The players check to you and you bet $15. An early position player raises you and you are now heads up. What do you do? You can absolutely slow play here. You have the nuts, top set and your opponent is very likely drawing dead. If you re-raise here, you may knock him out and not make nearly as much money. Set him up and take every last penny he has at the table..

Hand No. 4 - You are in the small blind with the Qc-Jh. An early-position player and a middle-position player limp in and you decide to call. There is $8 in the pot and four players. The flop is Qd-Qs 6c, giving you a trip Queens. I think in this spot slow playing is correct. There are no straight or flush possibilities. If you bet here, I can't imagine anyone calling. The pot is small and why would anyone get involved with you. Wait it out and hope someone catches something on the Turn.

Hand No. 5 - You limp in under the gun with the Qs Js. 5 otherplayers call plus the blinds. There is $14 in the pot and 5 players. The flop is 10s 9c 3h, giving you an open-end straight draw. You're hoping for a free card and believe it or not, with 7 players, you get it. The turn is the 8h. It is checked. You bet $10 and the Small Blind raises you to $30. What do you do? Even though you have the nuts, I would suggest re-raising here. This opponent isn't going away and you should maximize the action right now. If he has a strong hand like two pair or a set, you still have him drawing relatively slim. Get your money in now with the best hand.

I hope these examples illustrate some of the nuances of when you should and shouldn't slow-play your hands. There is a right time to do it. Each hand is unique and you need to take all of the variables into account before deciding how you should play a hand in a particular situation.

Until next time, may the chips fall your way.

(For more poker strategy and tips, please visit the PokerStrategyKing's website at www.pokerstrategyking.com )

(For more poker strategy and tips, please visit the PokerStrategyKing’s website at www.pokerstrategyking.com )