In this free online poker strategy example we’re looking at the situation and options open to players in head to head play where both believe they have the best hand and both elect to slow play. A trap versus trap situation.
To illustrate the lesson we’ll look at the situation by example. In this case a World Series of Poker final table hand.
The Set Up:
BLINDS 100k/200k, ante 30k
PREFLOP:
1) A has Ks-10s, raises to 400k
2) B has As-Ad, calls 200k
3) A’s raise is standard for K-10, which is not as weak in short-handed play as with a complete table.
B could have reraised A, but A might fold. B might be worried only if the Flop came up paired like J-J-7, but B thinks that a continuation test bet will detect if A has a hand following the Flop.
Reraising preflop and this test bet has got the same effect of making A fold if A has not got anything, but calling not only conceals A’s hand strength, but also makes it dangerous for B to bet if a King or a Ten comes.
FLOP: Kc-5c-3h
1) B checks
2) A bets 525k
3) B raises to 1.45m
4) A calls 875k (Pot now 3.76m)
Now A suddenly had top pair which he might think is the best hand!
B checks, again to conceal hand strength.
A bets to build the pot, then B raises.
A may interpret B’s raise as being a bluff because he might think B is drawing (note the 2 Clubs) or that B could have a smaller pair, say, A-5 or A-3.
A just calls because he is now the one attempting to trap.
TURN: Kc-5c-3h-6s
1) B bets 1.5m
2) The three-Flush didn’t come. B’s bet is now challenging A.
If A folds, B still wins a significant pot. If A calls or reraises, B can push him all-in if action comes back to B.
A’s trap looks like it’s working so far.
Now B could have decided that A is still on the Flush draw with perhaps a small Pair, say Ac-3c.
Moreover, because preflop A concealed his hand strength well (just smooth-calling), B can think that A also has a King, however with a weaker kicker.
Now he believes that A is ready to call anything he hauls in the centre, and he also thinks his trap is working. So what does he do?
1) A moves all-in
2) B calls 3.6m (Pot now approx. 14 million)
Both think their traps are successful! In poker, the higher the hands, the higher the chips in front.
Both did well in preserving the balance building the pot and concealing hand strength, but only 1 hand can win.
A is only able to win with a river King or Ten.
RIVER: Kc-5c-3h-6s-10c (!)
A wins! But had A carried on trapping until the river with this river card, it’s still the same. Both still have big hands, both are prepared to trap, and both are prepared to ravenously hoard each other’s chips when the opportunity appears.
Summing up Trap v Trap
Take your time to read and fully grasp the principles behind this article. Make sure you fully grasp the key facts behind what is going on in this particular example and consider strategies to put these lessons into your individual play.
Poker, while not so difficult to learn if very difficult to make a living from, or, indeed, not lose money at most of the time!
But if (and when) you figure out how to play poker well then you’ll make some good money. Why?
It’s because 80% or more players won’t ever make this sort of play level.
So if you can learn to play above average then it is not hard to make some good money. You certainly don’t need to play WSOP levels.
The fact that most players are at such a low quality ensures that whenever you hunt/play them on free online poker or low stakes sites you’ll be able to clean up.
Nick from top free online poker site http://www.NoPayPOKER.com advises that to learn to play poker free really well go look at NoPayPOKER blog, the free poker lessons there cover all levels from rookie to expert, plus, the site itself as a free online poker site is the perfect place to learn to play poker online free.
Related Articles
September 9, 2010
See more in Sports Betting
