Betting and Raising in Online Poker
Betting takes some thought and strategy if someone is planning on playing well in online poker. Knowing what poker cards are going to be played will have a large impact when the flop comes. Many newer poker players are afraid to bet pre- flop. They typically wait until the flop to begin making bets. Online poker is no different, and in fact, must happen more quickly since the game speeds up. Having a strong hand may or may not remain as strong once the flop is revealed. Supposing a poker player was dealt a pair of 10s, depending on what the flop brings, this hand could go either way. If the flop keeps the person with the top pair, two pair or a set, they should probably bet or raise on the Flop aggressively if there is the possibility of a straight or flush draw on the board. Although it is tempting for many beginner online poker players to slow play strong poker hands, it is also important to protect that hand when ahead by not allowing players to check and hold out for another card.
If someone flops a straight or a flush draw it is common sense that they typically want to see the next cards as cheaply as possible. For those poker players in Late Position, however, they might consider betting or raising on the Flop with a draw. Often in this situation, the opponents will check to the late position on the Turn as they fear a raise from that person. Depending on the strength of the poker hand, the person may choose to bet again and perhaps force opponents to fold. If someone feels that the opponents at the poker table are too strong to fold, then someone might simply check behind them and see the River card for free. This can be a very effective move of a bet or raise from Late Position.
Check/raising on the Flop can be an effective tool in making a call too expensive for other players to see the Turn card. This is somewhat like bluffing. It can be an effective tactic to use if the poker player has flopped a hand that is vulnerable to higher poker cards or draws. Check/raising works best if a Pre-Flop raise comes from a Late Position player and they feel that the action will get checked around to the raiser. If they should find themselves in this situation, they can bet out again on the Flop; someone with an arguable poker hand can at that point check/raise the raiser, making it very difficult for the players behind them to call two bets cold.
The Turn and the River cards are presented, a poker player should continue to bet with a strong poker hand such as top pair, two pair and a set. Additionally, if the poker player has a complete draw they should be betting, raising and possibly re-raising depending on the strength of their poker cards. It is important to remember that the other players at the poker table could also have a draw, and can play back aggressively, at which point it may be time to slow down. If they're not afraid of any bets, a person should show caution. For instance, if someone is betting top pair and gets raised by another player on a board that shows a possible straight or flush after the Turn or River card, the person should seriously consider only calling. This player's actions indicate the poker hand he or she was looking for has been made.
Betting, raising and check/raising can also be powerful weapons when trying to deceive or bluff a player out of a pot. A well-placed bet or check/raise can also sow the seeds of doubt in other opponents' minds and cause them to lay down a better poker hand. It is important, however, to use this tactic sparingly and in the appropriate situations. The danger of making this play too often is that opponents will stop giving credit for having good poker hands and start calling the bluff.
