Subject: GCA "Betting in No & Pot Limit" Theory
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Newsgroups: rec.gambling.poker
Date: 2003-04-14 21:14:21 PST
Betting in No & Pot Limit
The number one weakness people have playing no and pot limit poker is not knowing the range of the proper amount to bet in the pots they play. Betting properly is the number one factor to being a winning player. I have stated I could destroy most players in pot and no limit without looking at my cards, provided the people didn't know. If you disagree this can be done, argue with Doyle Brunson, as he has stated the same thing.

The truth remains, weak and beginning players biggest downfall is in their betting skills. The better the player the better his betting skills in accessing the proper amount to bet into the pot. You may think hand selection is very important, well it is, but not even close to betting skills. Trap hands should be stayed away from far more in pot and no limit than limit. Hands that can finish opposition off with one blow are key. Tight players not knowing proper betting will be washed away as they will allow players to draw to hands cheaply. Pressure is the name of the style played in these games and if you don't know how to apply it, you will not fare well.

I posted a style to approach one table no limit satellites a while back, by a stacking off method. While this isn't recommended for extended play, it is far more effective than most beginning styles in this game. It really does give you a better chance and shows the beginner what applying the pressure can do.

Sooner or later the better players will adapt and add more to their game than just a one dimension like stacking off. Obviously I could also write a whole book on strategy on betting in these games, but a post will have to suffice for the present.
Position plays a great roll in this game. Opening the pot with a limp is not recommended. The only ones able to do this are the best professionals that know how to trap and know when to dump hands in an instant, being they AA or a set. Proper opening bets in pot and no limit games should be 3-5 times the big blind. The better player can control the size of the pots with slight variations on how much he opens for. These will normally not be noticed as you may open with 3X the big blind with AK, while you may do this with 4X with AA. Of course you can change styles in an instant to trap opposition.

Pots opened in front of you allow you many options. You are allowed to slow play or raise, depending on who is behind you and what you think the possibility is of being raised. The better players will trap and hook the weaker ones allowing showdowns where they come with the winning hands. These skills are acquired from players who improperly bet and tell better players their holdings allowing them to sink the hook in and land the fish with a show down.
In general, winning pot or no limit does not dictate ever showing hands. In fact if you never showed a hand on the river after betting, you would never lose. Bluffs can be played in many ways and styles. Some can be like you're milking the opposition and others can be betting your whole stack. The way the play and whom the opposition is determines how to do this.

I will explain some betting flaws that are very common in online games and smaller games as well. Most of these can easily be seen and with proper follow through, you can take advantage of these situations. Since most of you don't play cash pot limit or no limit games, I will deal more with tournaments. The same concepts apply to cash games.
One of the main things you must learn playing this game is to always be aware of the chip positions your opponents are in. You can't make a move on a short stack that is possible on a large one, so don't make this simple mistake.

Poor betting is visible all day long online in these games and tournaments. Improper amounts bet allow for people to take advantage of the opposition if they know how to read their opponents. Make it early in a tourney with blinds being 25-50. Opener comes with 100 and has 4 people limp in behind. Pot about 500-600. Opener comes out with a bet of 50. Do you understand this bet? A bet like this isn't possible without a flop of three of a kind, AAK or the likes. This would mean he has flopped the nuts (stones, haha) or is just bluffing. Many possibilities arise with betting like this, none really good for the bettor.
How about a flop of Q,J, 3, with a flush draw. What does a bet of 50 tell you now? Many beginners or weak players do this as a way to slow action and not be forced to call a large bet with a draw. Obviously they could also have top set,but doing this a couple of times and seeing the play will enable the better players to realize what the person is doing and adjust to take advantage of this. If you had set of J's would you like the draw this cheap?

The majority of times these bets are to slow the action down to enable people to get a cheap draw.. Nothing is learned by people betting these amounts and pressure players will adjust and wipe most players like these out very quickly.

First a few hints for those trying to play a better game of pot or no limit. Open pots with about 3-5 times the big bets. Play conservative with starting hands to begin with and expand with experience. Obviously it is best to have position, but many times you will be raised from behind or called in the front. I can't tell you exactly what to do in these situations since they are all different, just likes your hands. This is what playing poker is about. I can tell you when the bets aren't the proper size, something is wrong. Traps are far more possible with improper betting in hands that can already of been made, paired boards, flush boards and such.When you see weak bets into pots containing infinite hand possibilities on the turn of the next card, you can believe the person betting is weak or on a draw. Basic bluffing skills will allow wonders to happen. Remember one thing, you aren't the only one that knows this and others will play the call bluff and make plays also. Go with your first instinct and follow through. It is easy to bet one small bet to attempt a bluff, it is also easy to call with second pair for a small amount.

Follow through and apply the pressure as this game is meant to be played. See how long these people can keep calling with bottom pairs, second pairs and other bad draws. As long as your play is consistent, you control the game and amount. Don't let a call stop you from following through, if your instinct told you they hold a weak hand. Make them pay if you're bluffing or holding the nuts (stones, haha).
A few adjustments to your game and you will own those who call any way. Poker is a game of bettor's, not callers. Betting allows you two ways to win rather than the one you have by calling. By betting, you may not be called, allowing you to win with the worst hand. It also allows you to have the best hand to win. Calling demands you have the best hand, plus it also states you don't possess the nuts.
Remember, if the bet is out of line, the hand is probably also. Attack fro here.
Russ Georgiev