Texas Holdem,
No Limit Poker,
Tournaments
May 4 2008
How to bet in a No Limit tournament is a subject that requires more than just a quick tip to cover because so much is dependent on the situation at the time. But here are a couple of common situations that arise, and how best to bet your hand.
First, let’s say that you think you have the lead if you have a hand like A-K, and the flop has come A-6-2 offsuit. This kind of flop can be played with less aggression. Unless you think someone has 3-5, 3-4 or 4-5, no one will be on a draw, and if they are it’s a gut draw. Bet what you think will get called, usually around 20% - 40% of the pot. If the flop is A-10-9, with two of the cards the same suit, you need to make sure you bet at least half the pot. You could make a pot-sized bet here because you don’t want any opponents drawing to the straight or flush with proper pot odds. You want them to make a mathematical mistake if they call to see another card.
On the other side of the coin, it could be you on the draw. Let’s say that you have K-Q of clubs and a flop of J-10-5 comes off. You would like to be able to draw to this hand so a good trick is to bet out this hand first, if you have the opportunity. Only bet the amount that will give you proper odds, say about 30% of the pot or less. Big hands will often choose to slow-play and trap you, but in reality you’re getting proper odds on your draw. This play also disguises your hand and if the draw does come for you, you’ll often get paid off in a big way because your opponents won’t know what hand to put you on.
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