Triton Poker, Author at Triton Poker

Plays That Will Up Your Game – Understanding The Blocking Bet

The Blocking Bet in No Limits Hold’em was once seen as all the rage, and, when employed under the right circumstances can certainly be beneficial.

Here’s when it can be used, the benefits to be gained and some words of caution.

When is the blocking bet commonly used?

When a player finds themselves first to act on the river with a hand that is classed as being weak or medium, they may still be keen to get to the showdown because they feel there is a reasonable chance that they are holding the best hand.

This hand is certainly not strong enough to place a large bet due to uncertainty of what others may be holding, so, you place a blocking bet which is a small stake.

As a guideline to bet size; make it no more than half the size of the pot.

Advantages seen by this tactic are:

An opponent calls but has a worse hand – You win.
An opponent may decide to fold – This saves you a reasonable amount of (imaginary!) head scratching on a potentially difficult decision for your next play
If you are called and lose, you lower stake level should be seen as the price you were willing to pay in order to see a showdown. This should mean you losing fewer chips than if your strategy had been to check-call a bet.

It’s not that simple!

While the above scenario points clearly to advantages from using a blocking bet, caution needs to be your byword and such a bet should not be used on a regular, repeat basis.

Here’s why:

A Well-worn tactic

Due to extensive use of the blocking bet, caution is required when playing against those with long poker experience. This type of player is often classed as an aggressive player.

When you are playing against this type of player, they will recognise your lower stake on the river blocking bet for what it is; You are indicating the intention to get to a showdown cheaply.

To counter your intention, a raise by one of your more experienced opponents is quite likely to win the pot because they are confident that you are not prepared to stake more on a weak/medium strength hand.

Conversely, you can use such a situation to your advantage. If you are facing a blocking bet and have a weak to medium hand, then consider a bluff by raising. This tactic should be used wisely. Do not bluff any player who call as a matter of course, it is far better to focus such a bluff on those opponents you feel are likely to fold under such circumstances.

Don’t use the blocking bet to avoid tough decisions ahead

Thinking that blocking bets will help you avoid tough decisions down the line in the event your opponent makes a play is a dangerous tactic. The reason for saying this is that to become a strong, effective poker player, making tough decisions is something you must master.

Taking such a stance will mean you are making the best possible decision when the occasion demands it.

Understanding your opponents gives you a far better chance of taking maximum advantage of good hands, bluffing when you feel confident to do so, particularly when faced with a blocking bet, and being aware of when there is a strong chance an opponent is bluffing even when you have a marginal hand should all be part-of your poker strategy.

Never assume!

The final thing to mention regarding the blocking bet is that you should never assume it is the best play out of the various options available to you. The fact is, you often have better choices, but when used correctly it can be highly effective.

Effective Poker Plays That Will Up Your Game – The Squeeze Play

The squeeze play is certainly effective when playing poker. If used correctly it will help push your win ratio in the right direction.

Let’s squeeze out some of the key pointers for those intent on adding to their Hold’em strategy locker.

The reasoning behind squeeze play

This is a bluffing play that can be used to your advantage when a loose player decides to raise before the flop and a 2^nd loose player calls behind them.

Your “Squeeze” comes into play by putting in a big 3-bet and taking both opponents off the pot.

What types of opponents should you use this play against?

The general importance of watching and committing to memory the style of opponent’s play is a crucial part of upping your poker game. An example of such observation is shown when it comes to enacting the squeeze play.

You should be on the lookout for opponents in two categories:

Loose/aggressive openers. Players that are opening on a far too regular basis
Weaker/passive players who call cheaply to see flops

This is because loose/aggressive players often open with a wide-ranging hand whereas weaker/passive players are prone to call with a varying hand simply to achieve a cheap flop.

In the vast majority of instances, neither type of player will have a hand which will stand up to your calling of a big 3-bet.

Only use in big-bet games

Using squeeze play tactics should really only be considered in tournaments or no-limit hold’em games. You need to be able to apply force through a big wager. As the term suggests, limited stakes games will mean you cannot raise high enough in order to force opponents to fold.

Consider these points before using squeeze play

As the calling player you need to be aware that the opening raise opponent has, and is showing a loose table image.
Your skill is to identify the correct combination of both loose open raising as well as loose flat calling in order to achieve a worthy percentage of folds.
Don’t try to squeeze if you are not prepared to bet large in order to force opponents to fold their mediocre hands – Think in terms of your squeeze raise being at least 5 times that of the initial raise.
Players behind you: There is no doubt that the less players behind you, the better. The most effective squeeze play occurs when you only have a few players behind you who are still to act. Why? Because the more players left to act, the more likely that one of them will have a hand to be reckoned with
An added bonus is that if any players left to act are tight players, they are unlikely to call ‘light’.

Always be conscious of your table image

You should always bear in mind how you have been playing in a session and what your plays and actions are giving off to opponents.

The tighter you can play, the more advantageous it will be in terms of how lightly they are willing to call off in any squeeze situation.

The poker hand that defined Squeeze Play!

Poker Tells That Can Indicate Whether Your Opponents Have Strong Or Weak Hands

Recognising ‘tells’ in your opponent’s style of Texas Hold’em play can give you an advantage, but you should always bear in mind that this should not be viewed as an exact science.

Let’s first take a look at the most dependable form of tell before getting into reactions that commonly show whether your opponent(s) have strong or weak hands.

Betting patterns

By far the most dependable tell during a poker session is a player’s betting patterns both past and present.

By studying these patterns, you are gaining invaluable insight into how an opponent plays a strong or weak hand. This leaves you in a far more advantageous position in deciding whether to pursue the bet at hand, check or fold.

Physical tells

We have all seen the movies…These tells are far too over-dramatised, but they do give indications of what you can look out for, what is more, it can add to the enjoyment of your hold’em sessions by noting the different reactions given by others.

A heap of variants

Human nature means that tells during a poker game will vary from player to player. Some will show specific physical signs when they have a big hand, others when they are bluffing. Then there are those who try false tells.

As you can see contradiction is part of the “telling game”, but your observation should become a habit that helps you sift through the multiple tells on display.

Bear the following in mind:

A first tell is more often than not genuine
The shortest tell is often the most reliable
Long, drawn out tells tend to be falser. This is because opponents are taking time in consideration of how to confuse
As a general rule: Weakness usually means strength – Strength usually means weakness
It is important that you decide positively on how much weight to give a particular tell

A general guide to strong and weak tells

There are so many tells to mention that we will concentrate on strong and weak hand tells and simply give 10 of the most common in each section. Master these and you can then go on to increase your ‘tell’ knowledge base:

Strong hand tells:

Shaking hands (not easy to imitate)
Non-stop/constant speech
Relaxed lips
Big smile
Longer stare at the Flop, then a quick, surreptitious glance at their opponents
Suddenly becomes far more attentive
Suddenly leaning back in their chair, more relaxed when calling or betting
Slowly sliding chips into the pot or doing so in a careful manner
Impatience – You can tell they want to bet
Eyes open, less blinking

Tip:

While most experts recommend you should look at an opponent’s eyes, don’t forget to also concentrate on their hands. Example: A trembling hand is generally an indication of a strong hand (unless that opponent always has shaking hands!).

Weak Hand tells:

Breath held, body unmoving
Rambling, higher pitched, slower or unnatural speech
Aggressively pushing chips into the pot
Trying to stare you down (we have touched on it – Strength means weakness!)
Consciously checking hole cards after the flop
Not looking after their hole cards
Sticking out or licking their lips
Noticeably breathing through their mouth
Covers their mouth
Eyes blinking more rapidly

Studying tells can improve your concentration

We have already pointed out that there are many poker tell variants and hopefully put over what an interesting part of hold’em they are to study.

There is also an added advantage to this part of your strategy: Studying your opponents will do wonders in terms of improving your own table concentration.

And, as you should all know by now. Concentration is key to upping your poker win ratio!

Understanding Bankroll Management

When playing poker, it is crucial that you understand how to manage your bankroll and stick to sensible principles. This rule applies no matter what level you are playing the game at.

Clearly define your bankroll

Defining your bankroll must be a clear-cut decision. It should relate to the amount of money you are comfortably able to set aside in order to play poker. When calculating your bankroll keep in mind that this ‘pot’ should be exclusive of other financial commitments.

It’s a gamble!

No matter what size your bankroll is, there is always a chance you could lose it all. On a far more positive note, there is also a good chance you will increase the size of your wallet!

The point here is that whatever level of bankroll you decide upon it should not affect other financial obligations.

Setting a sensible limit will allow you to enjoy the cut and thrust of an intriguing game and remain within your comfort zone.

Self-made rules to work from

Consider living by the following self-made rules and your bankroll management will be one that works for you.

If you can’t afford to lose it don’t play or chase it

This should remain your mantra. It really is the most important rule. Don’t ever risk an amount that could cause your financial hardship. This is particularly the case when you are having a downswing in playing success.

NEVER put your entire bankroll on the line

You should never put your entire bankroll into a single tournament or hand. The wise move is to only ever enter a game with a small fraction of your total bankroll at any one time

What are your goals?

This is where you need to consider what type of poker player you class yourself as being.

As a broad definition there are 3 groups of players. Each has different expectations and goals. Defining which group you fit into will allow you to set your own personal goals.

Recreational players: You will mainly be playing for fun and poker will be one of your pastimes. Any bankroll losses can easily be funded by additional cash from a regular source of income.
Serious players: This type of player is experienced and expects to profit from poker. Losses will hurt their pride as well as their pocket, but poker is not the only source of income.
Professional players: Yes, it sounds very glamourous, but the reality is that poker is their chosen employment. This means they cannot afford to lose all of their bankroll. If they do, they are in effect losing their job. Professional players are the ones who need to manage the strictest techniques of bankroll management.

Find and remain in your comfort zone

Don’t be forced into playing at limits you feel are too high. Be ready to stop when you start to feel uncomfortable about the risk.

This is regardless of whether you can afford to keep playing or not and most certainly do not feel that stopping in such a situation is a ‘loss of face’. What it should be viewed as is good, solid bankroll management

Those players who ignore feelings of unease at the limits being played can very easily get nervous. This more often than not leads to costly mistakes. If continued it can also lead you to question the enjoyment you are deriving from poker.

Remember: Competent players ONLY play within the limits at which they feel comfortable.

6 Surefire Ways To Improve Your Game

Let’s face it, playing Hold’em should be viewed as a constant learning experience.

For those with experience under their belt, think back to those early days and how you have progressed. For those being introduced to the game, or anyone who still classes themselves as a novice, it is important to understand that the Texas Hold’em learning curve is a constant one.

To keep you on an upward curve, here are 6 surefire ways to help improve your game.

1) Know and act on your starting position

Best Position – It is well-known that being “on the button” is the best position to be in when playing Hold’em. This is because you act last in 3 out of the 4 betting rounds:

After the Flop
After the Turn
After the River

This means that when it is time for you to act you know how many other players are still active in the hand. This means you can make a far more informed decision on the amount to wager (if at all).

Worst Position – This is when you are in the Small Blind position. Why? Because you must act first after the 3 streets mentioned above. Note: It should be said that there are times you can use this position to your advantage through aggressive play, but the truth is, it is far better to act last.

2) How many players are left in?

It is important that you focus on the number of players remaining in a hand. Two major reasons for this:

Being in possession of a hand that should not be played with 7 players still in could be a far stronger hand when the table is down to just 2 or 3 players left – There is less competition.
The fewer players left in, the more often you will be forced into a bet (blinds). In this case you need to be more aggressive

3) Defending your Flop hand

This is particularly important if playing against those new to Hold’em. The majority of such opponents want to see the Flop as cheaply as possible. You should make them work (or pay!) for it.

If you have a hand that you feel is strong enough to see the Flop then do not let others see it for free. The least you should do is raise by the minimum bet.

Example: You are holding an Ace & King while 2 other opponents have a 10-5 and a 7-4 respectively your aim should be to get them both out of the game before the Flop. By letting them see the Flop for just the Big Blind stake you are taking a risk and could well be wasting a very solid starting hand.

In the above case, a 10-9-8 would be just about the worst thing you want. It would mean you have nothing, and your opponents have an open-ended straight draw and a pair of 10’s respectively.

4) Keep an eye on your opponents

It is obviously very important to concentrate on your own hand, but do not lose sight of how other players are faring. Some of the things you need to be constantly aware of are:

How many chips each player has left. This only needs to be a rough count not an exact one.
What cards they could have as rounds progress.
What their best hands could be based on the shared community cards.
‘Tells’ that may indicate ‘soft’, ‘false’ or bluff play – Bearing in mind which of your opponent’s play bluffs regularly and those who set their stall out by playing a tighter game.

Example 1: Any opponent that has regularly been placing $20 bets then suddenly ups this to $50 should tell you they feel confident in holding a very solid hand.

Example 2: Any player losing a reasonably large hand who immediately comes back with a big bet may be doing so out of frustration and in a reckless manner. If you have a solid hand then consider pushing back.

The reason for this is that the player may be on the tilt. If so, their plays will not be in their best interest, but could be in yours!

5) Getting out after the Flop

This is a difficult one for players to accept and is particularly relevant to those new to Hold‘em. It is certainly understandable. After all, you have already committed money to the pot so the natural thought process is to stay in and see what happens.

Do Not! This kind of approach can lose you lots of chips.

Even if you start with a very strong hand; let’s say an Ace & King, or a ‘middling’ pair (7’s or 8’s), if the Flop does not improve your hand you should think strongly about getting out.

Getting out after the Flop is a sensible move for many reasons. Another clear example is:

Example: You have stayed in with a King & Six, the Flop is Queen-Ten-Six. Great, you have a pair of 6’s and put most of your concentration on that, but think about the Queen and Ten in the middle. Any of your opponent’s holding a Queen or 10 have a higher pair than you.

6) Turn & River Smart Play

Don’t over-complicate your turn and river play – consider sticking to these rules:

Holding a draw after the turn – i.e. You need 1 more card for a good hand (usually a straight or a flush) – Do your best to get to the River as cheaply as possible.
Remember that if there is a pair included in the community cards that one of your opponents may have a full house.
When the board is showing 3 cards of the same suit, an opponent could very well be holding a Flush.
After the River make sure you fully realise the value of your cards. You must keep in mind that what you have is what you have got, your hand cannot be improved! If you feel another player has a stronger hand it is generally unwise to bluff at this time.

Wipe your mouth and look forward positively to the next hand!

Good play will garner reward

While it cannot be denied that there is some luck involved when playing Texas Hold’em, it must also be stated that it is a game which will reward good play. The straight fact is that good players will beat bad players most of the time.

Texas Hold’em is a constant learning curve: It is far easier to remember your good plays and forget the bad ones. Don’t! You can learn from both, and by following the tips above your win rate should start to climb in the right direction.

How to survive the bubble in poker tournaments

When playing in a Texas Hold’em Tournament all players want to experience the buzz of the bubble stage. It is what you want and where you want to be, as long as you are not the next person out!

What is the bubble?

This is the point in a tournament where the next player out does not take any winnings. The remaining players will take something away from the table.

Example: The tournament you are in states that the top 25 players will win money and there are 26 players left. These 26 players are “on the bubble”. The one player that is knocked out and gets no reward is said to have been knocked out “on the bubble”.

Playing the bubble – Different strokes for different folks!

Make no mistake when the bubble period is reached in a tournament, things change. It really is the do-or-die time. It is fairly common to find players changing their style dependent upon the stack in front of them.

This affects whether they decide to look at survival which will ensure they get a share of the prize on offer, or whether they should play with the intention of busting out other players.

Two general categories of bubble player

• Survival: This category of player has their priority on surviving. By doing so they will be safe in the knowledge that doing so entitles them to take home some winnings

• Playing to win: This player’s intention is to take no prisoners. They are playing to win the tournament and have every intention of using this period to their advantage in order to accumulate more chips

Different styles and strategy of bubble play

The different styles and strategy of bubble play should be studied. Not just during a tournament that you are playing in, but also while on the sidelines. Such analysis will help in future tournaments and give you a greater chance of not only surviving the bubble, but of also increasing your chances of scaling that prize ladder.

• Different styles: Some players will fold just about every hand, even good hands. Their playing style will be as tight as can be. Others will start raising and going all-in on lots of hands. The size of a player’s stack and how the other players are acting will affect these decisions.

• Strategic decisions: The number of players left at your table will affect your strategy. It determines such things as how many hands a player can survive folding with the antes as well as Big Blind (BB) and Small Blind (SB). Conversely, if a player has a big stack then an effective strategy can be to play loose/aggressive in order to accumulate chips

Being “the bubble” hurts, but…

There is no easy way to put it. Being knocked out “on the bubble” hurts, but it is important not to dwell negatively on the fact for too long. Remember you got to within one of taking something home. With positive analysis of mistakes made during play, you can determine how plays could have been made differently.

Don’t just assess your bad moves, look closely at the good ones. By combining this knowledge and putting it into action in future tournaments the buzz of the bubble will be yours in a very positive way!

Understanding Your Oppositions Style Of Play

Being successful at Poker must be viewed as a continual learning curve. In this respect the earlier you get to grips with the different types of poker players you are pitting your skills against the better.

Understand what category your opponent’s fall into

The greater your knowledge of how those around the table play, the more this can be used to your advantage. Conversely, the less you understand their intentions the more difficult it becomes to act with confidence.

Failing to make a connection with your opponent’s style of play will mean that positive moves against some can turn out to be very costly moves against others.

4 main categories of poker players

While there are variations on styles of play we will concentrate on the 4 that are seen to be the main ones.

Loose-Aggressive

Players that are seen to constantly raise pre and post flop, and who plays more hands than average are termed as Loose-Aggressive players. They are also not too selective in terms of what their starting hand is.

• Approach to play: Their approach to winning when not holding good cards, or playing a hand that would not generally be deemed as a winning one is common. They counter this by playing aggressively to put pressure on opponents in the hope they will fold.

• Their problem: This type of player will often go broke quickly and should be seen as a pleasure to profit from. Of course, there are exceptions to the rule but the majority are aspiring Tight-Aggressive (see below) players who have not yet made the important transition.

• Your gain: Patience! Get your “tight” head on and wait for choice hands to be dealt to you. Hitting a premium hand will pay dividends. Pass on marginal hands, let the Loose-Aggressive opponents win small pots then steal the big ones with killer hands.

Loose-Passive

Aka “Fish” or “Calling Stations”! These are seen by the poker community to be very weak players and there is little doubt that over time they will be losing players.

• Approach to play: They play too many hands and stubbornly continue to call bets regardless of the fact they would be better to raise or fold.

• Their problem: Little notice is taken in terms of pot odds. They often call down bets for the sake of it and rely on luck. But, as we all know; the lady is not an ever-present!

• Your gain: Keep your pulse on the pot odds, you will quickly find an advantage against this type of player.

Tight-Passive

This style of play can be classed as a little too cautious and predictable.

• Approach to play: They know which starting hands to play and when not to and often play strongly pre-flop. Some (but not all) do not protect their hands strongly enough and are more prone to check and call than raise. Having said that, this style of play against inferior opposition will reap rewards.

• Their problem: Tight-Passive players are generally easily read. When they are betting it usually means they have a hand to contend with. It is rare to see them bluff.

• Your gain: Due to a Tight-Passive players excessive caution, chasing players can be presented with the correct odds to hit their draw. It is often noticeably predictable when this type of player has a hand worthy of mention.

Tight-Aggressive

In the vast majority of poker circles, this style of play is seen as the most successful.

• Approach to play: Tight-Aggressive players know the strengths of starting hands inside out. They will only play when in the correct table position and with what they see as a suitable hand. When in the pot they play aggressively. They have little fear in betting and raising when the time is right. This style of play puts pressure on their opponents. In short, a Tight-Aggressive player plays when the odds are favourable.

• Their problem: A major disadvantage is that games can drag for this type of player and boredom can set in. This is because they fold on all hands but strong ones. If patience is not one of your strong virtues this style of play will be a challenge.

• Your gain: Caution is the name of the game. You need to match fire with fire and strike with confidence during any lapse of concentration or when the opportunity is presented.

Mix ‘n Match!

Variety is the name of the game! When playing a table, you need advantage. Understanding your oppositions style of play will afford solid benefits.

Basing your strategy on Tight-Aggressive play is considered the way to go, but you would also be wise to mix and match your playing styles. This will work to perplex your opposition and help win even more of those sought-after pots.

Difference between short deck poker and no-limit texas hold'em

Short Deck Hold’em – Understand The Difference

Short Deck Hold’em is also known as 6+ (Six Plus) Hold’em. This No-Limit Poker game is played with a stripped-down deck.

Increasing in popularity

The game is a fast, fun variation of the world-recognised Texas Hold’em format. Short Deck Hold’em originated in Asia a few years back and is gaining increased recognition in Europe.

Due to some recent star-studded High Roller events, the game is attracting growing interest in the USA and is now being played in Las Vegas.

Difference in pack size

All of the 2’s, 3’s, 4’s and 5’s are removed from the standard 52-card pack leaving a game where only 36 cards are used. This means the 6 is the lowest card…. Unless you use an Ace as low.

An Ace has added value

As in traditional Hold’em the Ace can be used as either a High or Low, but in the Short Deck version of the game it can also make up the low and high ends of a straight. As in:

• A 6 7 8 9 is classed as a straight (In this example the Ace is classed as a ‘5’)

Hand ranking differences – Let the significance sink in!

While there are only a few differences in the value of a hand between the 2 formats of Hold’em these are very significant and will prove expensive if forgotten.

In Short Deck Hold’em

• A Flush beats a Full House – This is because mathematically it is harder to make a flush than a full house from the reduced deck.

Note: This is the general rule. However, some houses may still have it the other way around – As ever; check the house rules before taking your seat.

Flush possibilities

In regular Hold’em, players with suited hole cards and two community cards of the same suit have nine cards in the deck from which to make a Flush. Playing the Short Deck game reduces this to five cards. This means a Flush is far harder to hit.

Easier to hit a set

Playing short deck Hold’em makes it easier to hit a set than when playing the regular game. Short deck players holding a pocket pair have 2 cards remaining from the 34 to give them a set as opposed to 2 cards out of 50 in the regular game.

Short Deck Hold’em strategy

Players who are used to the regular version of Hold’em should be aware of strategy considerations during a traditional game.

Playing the Short Deck game brings a number of changes. Here are just 5 you need to bear in mind:

• The rule of 4 and 2 turns into the rule of 3 and 6
• Stronger Post-Flop hands are needed
• The chance of being dealt pocket Aces are twice as high
• Hands such as top pair and top kicker have a much lower value
• Single pair hands rarely win a pot

Fast, fun & exciting

There is no doubting that Short Deck Hold’em (6+ Hold’em) is making waves in Poker communities across the globe so why not taste the action by giving it a go?

A final word of caution though: While you are sure to hit far bigger hands than in the regular game this means your opponents will too!

The Importance Of Table Positions In Poker

Poker playing positions need to be understood. To be successful in flop games such as Texas Hold’em and Omaha you need to maximize the strength of your position and accept when the odds are stacked against you.

Here’s a rundown of the most common poker positions around a table dependent upon where you are seated.

Position in poker

This is in reference to where a player sits on a poker table. In the vast majority of cases your position is defined in relation to the dealer. It also defines whether you will be first or last to place your bet.

When you hear a player telling you that he has “position on you” they will be sitting on your left and will always act after you have made a play.

The reason the deal moves from player to player around the table is to give everyone an equal time in each of the positions. As will be understood below, there is no doubt that certain ones are far more advantageous than others.

The Button – Dealer (also classed as a LP)

In flop/community games such as Texas Hold’em being “on the button” is where everyone would like to stay! In terms of advantage it is the best position in poker.

After the flop the dealer always gets to act last in every round of betting for that game. Being in this situation means you have had the advantage of watching each player in the hand act before making your decision. This offers significant advantage and gives you leeway to play hands that are marginal.

Early Position – EP

In the vast majority of cases being in an early position refers to the 3 seats to the left of the dealer.

Quite the opposite of being “on the button”, EP is seen as the worst position at a poker table because these players must act first. The closer to the dealer you are the worse the EP because you do not have the knowledge of how others around the table will play their hands.

These positions are called:

• Small Blind – SB: 1st player to the left of the Button

In this position the player acts second to last during the opening round, but from then on must act first in each subsequent round. Because you are playing “blind” with stakes this is deemed as the worst poker table position.

• Big Blind – BB: Directly left of the SB

You do have position on one player, but having to pay double the SB is not what you want. While you do get to act last pre-flop, this is still a long-term losing seat. The trick when in the BB position is to lose as little as possible!

• Under the Gun – UTG: Directly left of the BB

The term refers to the pressure you are under in this position. This is because you have to act first before the flop in such games as Omaha and Hold’em.

Middle position – MP

This position indicates the 3 players to the left of the last EP. It is not the best spot nor the worst. A player gets to see how those in the EP act, but have a few players who follow. While it does allow you to play a little looser, caution is still the name of the game.

Late position – LP: The dealer and the 2 seats directly to their right

The dealer and the 2 players to their right have the best position in a poker game. It means they have insight into how the hand is progressing and puts them in a strong situation in terms of deciding to call, bet, raise or fold. This is because those in the LP have already seen how the majority of players have acted.

Equally, if no bet has been placed in a round, players in LP can claim the pot by betting. This is termed as “the betting position”.

We have already explained “the Button” (dealer), here are the other two LP:

• The Cutoff – CO: Directly to the dealer’s right

In the Cutoff seat, you can afford to be more adventurous. By raising aggressively from this spot, you can force the button to fold. Such a play means you are looking to “buy the button”.

• The Hijack – Directly to the Cutoff’s right

This seat got its name due to the fact that Button & Cutoff steals are so common. The term was coined because the position gave rise to “hijacking” the 2 later seat’s action through stealing the blinds before them.

Know where you seat and produce more profit!

Study each situation you are in during games and make a note of success or otherwise. By understanding the risks and benefits of each you will be in a far stronger position to take those much-desired pots.

Picture illustrating an "Under The Dog" Straddle

To Straddle, or Not to Straddle, That Is the Question

Getting to grips with the terminology is all part of poker’s fascination. It also goes hand in hand with good tactical awareness and a sound success strategy.

While Straddling or “Playing a straddle” is often regarded as a negative in terms of profit over risk it should not be automatically dismissed. Let’s understand exactly what it is and two scenarios where it’s certainly worth a punt.

What is a straddle in Poker?

A player can initiate this play in any poker game and it is a reasonably regular occurrence for those involved in Texas hold’em.

When a player opts to straddle they are putting double the big blind (BB) amount before cards are dealt. It is usually the player to the left of the BB that makes this play. Once it is carried out, all others following players must either call or raise the bet placed.

A ‘live’ straddle acts like the BB

Good poker etiquette requires dealers to announce when a live straddle is ‘in play’. When “live” it acts like the BB. If none of the players raise, it is then down to the player straddling to decide whether to raise. This can only be done when it is their turn to play.

In the event, the dealer does not make the announcement this is termed as a dark raise. If this is the case the player straddling has no option in the event all other players simply call.

3 common types of straddle:

If you intend to make straddling a part of your success strategy it is vital that you check the house rules. This is because not all poker rooms allow it, some do but specify which position the play can be made from, and the majority of online rooms do not allow it. Un-capped straddles for $1/$2 and $2/$5 are quite rare.

3 common types of the play you will come across:

Under The Gun (UTG) Straddle: This is the classic play. It is where the UTG player lays double the BB BEFORE cards are dealt. They then act as the last preflop.
Mississippi Straddle: This is easier to play than spell! It allows any player from any position the opportunity to straddle first. When the option is taken up they can straddle any amount preflop. By making this play they then have the advantage of acting last before the flop (assuming another player does not re-straddle, but this is less common). It is more often than not that the button makes this play. As with the UTG play, this option must be taken up BEFORE cards are dealt.
Un-capped Straddle: As the term suggests, this removes the “double the BB limit” on the size of stake placed.

Should you make this play in Texas hold‘em?

While not all poker tacticians will agree, the general advice has to be No. This is because the only real advantage of straddling is the fact that during the first round of betting you have the advantage of acting last.

However, you have made a blind and if another player raises you will need a lucky hand in order to call. Taking everything into account this strategy usually costs you money.

Two exceptions:

Lower stake games not to your liking: If you are involved in a hold’em game with lower stakes than you like, straddling can solve your issue because you can make the play from the start. It is seen as a good tactic if you feel your strategy will take other players out of their comfort zone. i.e. the majority will fold. In this situation, the play can work in your favor.
One to strongly consider: When you are in the button position in a game allowing a Mississippi Straddle you have a huge advantage. This high ground is gained because you have the last position of that particular round. Such a play often encourages the BB to fold if they have poor cards.

Don’t dismiss straddling!

As a poker player, you should use straddling with caution and common sense. Do not dismiss it from your armory, but do use it wisely.

Watch Paul Phua straddling like a boss!

During the last Triton Poker Super High Roller Series 2018 in Jeju, South Korea, Tom Dwan and Paul Phua went head to head for a huge cash game pot.

After a long period of hesitation, Tom shoved ALL-IN with AQ against Paul Phua, who straddled. Unfortunately for him, Paul was holding the Pocket Aces!