Texas Holdem,
Betting Strategy
May 23 2008
There’s nothing like holding the nuts when you’re playing Texas Holdem. Your hand is unbeatable and all you have to do is figure out how to take as many of your opponents’ chips as possible. However, if there are still cards to come it isn’t quite that simple. If you play the nuts incorrectly in a situation like this, instead of winning a big pot you could be out a ton of chips. Here’s an example.
Let’s say you were dealt pocket kings
and the flop turns up this:
You’ve flopped the nuts with three kings, but slow-playing this hand instead of going after the pot right away and putting pressure on your opponent could bankrupt you. The reason is that even though you have the nuts right now, there are too many options for better hands on the turn and/or river. Not only is there a flush draw for anyone holding two spades, but there are also multiple straight draws. By slow-playing you could be giving someone on one of these draws some free cards, and in so doing make your three kings the second-best hand at the table.
Remember whenever you’re holding the nuts with the turn or the river to come, always thoroughly read the board before deciding how to bet. With more cards to come there are almost always a few cards in the deck that could crack your nuts, so don’t shoot yourself in the foot by misplaying your hand.
Learn how to
play Texas Holdem in our step by step guide!
