At some point, there was a very hand before the other one which I raised on the button to $20 with A-J. I got three callers for it, thus making it a multi-way pot nonetheless. Then, the flop came, Q-Q-3, as a result everybody checked to me. To have an unusual move, I bet something like $24. Afterwards, “LaBarca” called, and everybody else at the table folded.

As expected, the turn came and it was a K and so he checked. In an instant, I felt the weakness and trouble in him. I also felt he longed at that time to see me check and eventually have a cheap showdown.

Well, I thought he must have a PP of 6-6 through 9-9. It didn’t appear to me like he is thinking of his trip Q’s, that he’d get maximum value from them. I believed, there should be at least some pondering stuff.

Later on, we’re on the turn and weakness is in the air. So what do you expect? I of course released fire again. I stood up for my readings, for what I felt and for what I believe in.

So then I bet $40 and he called again though quite hesitant and indecisive. At that point, my instincts were still strong, that actually, he wanted a cheap showdown. But I resisted, most especially that I had the T for a straight and an A or a J for a probable winning pair back then.

Eventually, the river came a random blank and he checked again. I bet another $80 into the pot without any doubt. LaBarca hesitated but then he later on called again. After which, I expected to see a Q and hoped could have bet more on the river. Perhaps $120-$150.

After all this, what do you think does my opponent has turned over? A-8 off for no hand as well as no draw but Ace high! Of course, we divided the pot the Q’s and the K being all aboard. I don’t totally understand what happened, to be honest.

Then, the very next hand I’m dealt, A-4 of hearts in the cut off. I eventually limped behind another limper. The BB as well as the button limped too, while SB folded. Afterwards, we take the flop four handed. Well, it comes off properly, 8-6-3 all hearts.

Consequently, the first limper checked and I quickly bet $10. Quite unexpected, the button opted to call and the first limper re-raised to $20. For a while, I went blank but eventually I called. After that, the button re-raised again to $56 while the limper called. Well, I felt I was in a perfect spot then as the button has flopped a flush and the limper has either a set or two pair. However, I didn’t went all-in. Still, I was into for a one pair or a draw.

Then the turn comes a 9c, and so nothing has changed. I then checked as the limper checked. And then for $418, the button went all-in. For a second, the limper hesitated but later for about $300 called all-in.

I didn’t wasted my time, and opted to call. Then, there were the Ks. Eventually, the button showed Q-9 of hearts for a flush while the limper showed 3-3 for a set of 3′s.

Any comment on how I’ve played at that instance? Thanks!

Chase

Chase,

For that first hand, I don’t see how the pot was a chop. You had A-J with a Q-Q-3-K-random board. Your opponent had A-8. Unless that card on the river was a 3, you should have won due to your kicker.

Based on what you explained, it sounded like you had a fantastic read on your opponent. I will say again, that based on what you told me, that should have been a winning hand.

For the second hand, you were able to see a flop cheaply and then flopped a monster. You played the flop masterfully. You bet out and then were raised. You then slowed down with the nuts and called. You then checked to the aggressor and let him bet for you.

The fact that your opponent flopped a set of three’s and called ended up being an added bonus. Fortunately the board didn’t pair. Even if the board paired and you lost, you still played the hand excellent. You let the other players bet for you and as a result, took two stacks.

My question has something to do with one of my no limit games where the buy-in is $4,000 and the blinds 10/20. By the way, I’ve got 3,500.

In that particular game, everyone had folded to me. Quite surprised, I picked up Ad 5s when I was in the button. I actually thought of stealing the blinds then so I brought it to 80.

Eventually, both small and big blind called and the flop came 5c 5d 7d. SB and BB checked it to me. Then, I bet around $140, half the pot. After which, SB folded but then BB raised me up to 380$. At some point, I thought if he got 77 he wouldn’t have raised at all, so I assumed he was just holding a weak 5 or something most probably.

Then, hoping to take things slowly, I called. Afterwards, the turn came and it was 9d, therefore at the board then was 5c 5d 7d 9d. There was a possibility for a straight and flush, however, I got Ad and trips so I have no choice but to fold.

BB then placed a bet of 700$. I was afraid for a straight I guess so I called again. Eventually, river Qc and BB went all in for all my money, got more or less 2.200$ then and 4.800$ in the pot.

For some time spent for thinking and all, a fold was made. Well, I thought he has a flush or straight, maybe even 57 or 77. But then, to my surprise he showed 44.
What do you think, did I play just right? The slow play strategy I guess was not a mistake but still I’m not so sure about it. Any advice?

Thanks,
Jack

Jack,

You actually did not slow play the flop. You bet half the pot. He then raised. At this point, I personally think you should have popped him back. If you really thought that he had a weak five, why not raise again. He would have likely pushed all in right there if he did have a weak five. If he was on a straight or flush draw, then you need to make him pay to draw out on you. If by some chance he had pocket sevens and flopped a miracle against you, then say nice hand and buy back in.

On the turn, you picked up a flush draw to go with your set. Lets say you were behind to a straight as you claim. Even so, you have 18 outs at this point to outdraw him for a flush or a full house. If I didn’t reraise the flop, I would have raised the turn. There is a good chance he would have let the hand go at this point.

It sounds like to me you got scared on the flop. I think that if you reraised him on the flop, he would have folded right there.

It all started when the player to my right walk in by which at that instance I was in 4th position and had AJ off. I used to overcome situations like this but I don’t know what happened as on that night most of the table seem to be very weakly to me. I had won a number of hands in a row, eventually building my stack from a $160 buy in to roughly $450.

Afterwards, I decided to raise to $12. Someone I knew back then, who is an extremely loose player, raises me the minimum to $22. Then, the Player to my right calls the 22. Well, I had just taken a large pot and called the extra $10.

After which, the flop came A,9,3 rainbow. Quite to my surprise, the player to my right leads out and bets $50. I pondered on about things for about 5 mins and afterwards arrived into an assumption that he limped with actually a weak ace. As a result, I raised him to $150. At the table, the other player folded and the player to my right moved all in. Later on, it was only another $25 or so to call, therefore, I called him believing I am outwitted. You know what? I was actually outwitted. Eventually, he had AK.

Do you think I played the hand smartly? Over-all, do you think I played well?

Thanks for your time.

Blake

Blake,

You were in a situation where someone limped in to two raises with a drawing hand. You were the aggressor and someone else raised. The player with A-K called two raises cold. That was a somewhat marginal play by him.

When the player bet out on the rainbow flop, you said that you put him on a weak ace. How weak of an ace did you put him on? Was it something like A-5? If so, I can see you putting on the pressure. Personally, I think I would likely have put him on a weak ace as well, or maybe even a big pair such as kings or queens. When he moved all in, I would have assumed I was behind, as was the case.

Based on what you said your read on the opponent was, I don’t think you played the hand poorly. Your read was wrong and it cost you. However, that will happen a lot in poker. Don’t stress yourself out over one hand. Learn from it and profit from the lesson you learned.

Before I lay down my question, let me first congratulate you for having the best site. It has been a great help for many poker players. Thanks a lot for all of your efforts, great job!

Well, for my question, it’s something about going all in when making a bet and side pots. Let’s say for an instance, there are 3 players at the fifth street. Have already gone through the pre-flop, the flop, as well as all the betting. Then, fifth street comes up and eventually player 1 goes “all in” and bets $100. Assume that player 2 calls, same thing for player 3, but the difference is he wants to raise $50.

In my opinion, player 2 may call the raise of player 3 by placing either a side bet or side wager of $50 in a side pot. Typically, player 2 would have to raise or call the bet of player 3. However, I’m wondering if the rules are not the same whenever a player goes all in. Any idea?

Also, I am clueless if player 2 can simply decline to do the side bet to grab the chance of playing for an additional side pot of $100 and just play for the $300 in the main pot. Well, if player 2 can, I guess there would be no side pot.

By the way, is the side pot mandatory at all times? And is player 2 obliged to either just call the raise of player 3 by which is $50 or else just fold?

If the answer for such questions is yes, then I don’t think things will make sense. At least, why shouldn’t player 2 be able to play for the main pot? If player 2 doesn’t have an additional raise, then why should he fold?

Also, player 1 can’t meet the raise of player 3, however, he gets to stay in and play for the main pot. How come? And why should player 2 fold though he placed the same amount of money in the main pot?

Thanks!
Carl Lohanne

Carl,

In the scenario above, player one went all in on the river. Player 2 then called. If player three bets out, then player two must either call the bet or fold. Player 2 at that point forfeits his right to the main pot.

Think of it this way. After player one goes all in, Player 2 and Player 3 must then battle for the right to win the main pot. With his raise, player 3 is saying that he can bet not only player 1 but player 2 as well. If player 2 wants the right to claim the main pot, he must beat player 3 for it.

The reason that player 1 is not forced to fold is because all of his money is already in the pot and once that happens, his portion of the pot is protected.

Back in the early days of poker, if someone was out of money and the other person had more, they could just win the pot by just raising. This was determined as unfair. Someone could sit down with a larger stack than everyone else and just move all in to every bet and take every pot. This would not be fair.

I have two questions. Hope you could find some time to answer them.

Let’s say for example, you have a 5 8 and the flop comes down A 5 6, eventually, the turn comes K and the river is a six. As a reaction, you call and your opponent calls pair of Aces. Then you call a pair of fives as well as sixes.

What do you think, is your opponent required to call the pair right to later on win?

Another thing, about a particular rule in a holdem tourney, call your own hand. Somewhere at the beginning, I went all in and after the river, me and my opponent showed cards. I got 2 pair, 7′s and 8′s and my opponent got 2 pair, 8′s and 4′s.

My opponent thought he won thinking that it was 7′s before 8′s. Well, on the flip side, I won. But though I won that instance, it was not a great experience because of the chaos and argument.

By the way, who wins that hand? And in your opinion, does the way you reveal your 2 pair vital? I guess it really matters.

Thanks,
Garret

Garret,

In most casinos, cards speak. What that means is that it is the responsibility of the dealer to determine the best hand and award the pot accordingly. It does not matter if the player miscalls their hand.

In some home games, you may run across a rule that requires you to call your hand upon showing it. When I teach people poker, I typically enforce this rule so that it gives them practice calling their hand and teaches them what they have.

As far as your tournament question, it does not matter how a hand is shown. When you have two pair, if the top pair is the same, the rank of the bottom pair determines the winner, not the order in which the cards are shown.

I am new to no limit holdem and I’m now thinking of something. For an instance, after everyone has been dealt 2 cards down, and the individual to the left of the big blind raises, do you think both the big and small blinds if they want to see the flop should add an amount to the pot?

Or else, do they get to see the flop because of placing a bet which is somehow forced?

Thanks,
Johnny

Johnny,

The blind in a holdem game are forced bet. When a player raises, they are raising the blind. The blinds must then call the difference between the blind and the raise amount to see the flop.

I want to ask if in Texas Holdem, how many cards are burned before the flop?

Thanks,
Richard

Richard,

In Texas Holdem, only one card is burned before the flop.

I have two questions for you. Hope you can find some time to answer them.

1. When is the right time to make side pots? Is it actually at the end of the betting round before going for the flop or when there is finally someone all-in?
2. Let’s say player 1 goes all in with $50, then player 2 calls $50, player 3 calls $50 and raises $50, and player 4 folds. Then, player 2 has to play. How much do you think he should call or raise and why? Do you think he should call 200$ or $100 or only $50?

Similarly, with almost the same example, player 1 goes all in with $50, player 2 calls $50, player 3 calls $50 and raises $50, and then player 4 folds. Take note, we will have 2 main pots, $150 & side pot of $50. Now, player 2 has to play. What do you think, how much does he needs to call or raise and why? Do you think he should call 200$, $150, $100 or only $50?

Thanks in advance.

Vinz

Vinz,

1. The only time that there is a side pot is when a player is all-in and there are two or more players in the pot that can continue betting. The side pot can occur anytime after the player goes all-in.
2. The player can either call the $50 raise or reraise. Player 3 raised to $100 total and player 2 already has $50 in the pot. He can call the raise or reraise. Beyond that, without knowing what the player has, it is not possible to determine what amount he should raise or if he should flat call.
3. The revised scenario is exactly the same as the prior one. Your first example was going to create a side pot of $50 as well. Nothing about the scenario has changed, so my answer above applies here as well.