Betting Strategy: Overbetting on a Big Bluff or a Monster Hand

Betting Strategy
June 23 2008

An overbet is when a player makes a bet that is extremely high when compared to the size of the pot. An example would be if a player bet $100 when there is only $10 in the pot. A bet of this magnitude (10 times the size of the pot) would definitely be considered an overbet.

A player would overbet for only two reasons. The first is that it’s a bluff meant to scare away the rest of the table so they can steal the pot, while the second is that they have a winning hand and they think someone will call their large bet and pay them off.

The first reason is pretty much self-explanatory. If you’re going to bluff successfully you usually have to bluff big, and there’s nothing bigger than an overbet. Watch out for players that continually overbet, because unless they’re getting extremely lucky and hitting great flops or drawing great hole cards, most of these overbets are likely bluffs. Against a player like that, your best option is usually to wait for premium cards and come back at him with a big raise.

The second reason – overbetting with a monster hand – can cost you a ton of chips if you call the bet. However, it can be a profitable bet against the right players if you’re the one making the overbet. If you find yourself up against a player who constantly calls or goes against pot odds and chases draws out of his price range, try making a few overbets when you’ve got the cards. If he continues to play badly and call you, it should pay very well.

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