Learn Texas Holdem

Hi there!
I really like your site and it has really helped my game improve in the few months I have been playing. I have been participating 2-3 times a week in local free rolls in my area. They tend to feature a mixed bag of player types with about 30-35 people playing.

Looser players make it tough to steal pots even with a preflop raise and a continuation bet. I have managed to get to the final table about half the time but there is one situation I often find myself in where I am not sure what the proper play would be.

The situation is that preflop I have a decent hand like AKs, AK, AQs, AQ in early position. I will raise about 3XBB and get a few callers behind me. The flop comes out pretty ragged and I didn't catch anything. I like to make a continuation bet for a bout 1/2 - 2/3 the size of the pot and often times I get at least one more caller. Now the turn comes and I still don't have a hand made.

At this point I am not sure another bet is wise but when I check most of the time the other person bets and I feel like I have to let the hand go. Should I be pushing the turn with another bet to solicit more information (basically bluff since I don't have a hand yet)? How would the situation change if I was farther back in position? Could I just check it down to the river for a free card then wait to see if the other person bets the river?

Regards,
Ryan

Answer:

Hi Ryan,
I am glad to hear that you like our site. To play the types of hands that you describe in early position is always tricky, especially with a couple of callers behind. They usually need to improve in order to win at a full table. If I totally miss the flop and have a couple of callers behind I often check and give the pot up there and then if any of the other players show strength.

Hands like this can get you in so much trouble when you play them unimproved from a bad position. You can definitely make a continuation bet here on occasion, but in the loose game you describe it is rare that it will win you the pot (which is the aim of the continuation bet). On the other hand, playing a hand like this in late position is a different story and I would make a continuation bet much more frequently.

Good luck at the tables!
Regards, Clark
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