10-20-04, LearnTexasHoldem:
Betting Draws In No Limit
Top 3 Beginner Rooms
89s late with only callers before,
flop gives me Kc, 4s, 2s
checked (or raised minimally) to me,
Do I bet fairly high ($6 or more) or try to keep people in. My problem is worrying too much about chasers catching.
Any strategy on betting drawing hand in NL?
Thanks,
JD.
Answer: Before I bet in no limit cash games, I always like to have a good idea of what will most likely happen. Compare betting the 89s draw into 5 players from early position with betting it from late position when everyone checked to you. In the first situation, it is likely that you'll either get called by a King or a bigger draw or you'll get raised. Your chance for winning the pot by just betting is slim.
On the other hand if you bet after everyone has checked to you, your chance of winning the pot right then is pretty good. They have no idea whether or not you have a draw or a King, or even a set. Picking up these types of pots where everyone checks to you is essential not only for making a little on those hands but also for getting more action on hands where you do actually have something great. This will help alleviate your tiny pot problem.
You don't want people to always know what you have, so betting in the back with position into a few opponents (or less) is a good way to mix up your game -- even if you didn't have the flush draw. In the scenario you gave, betting $6 would be fine. Most likely you'll just win the little pot right there.
As for strategy for betting draws in NL, here are a few tips:
1. Take into account the number of opponents. If there is a lot of competition, you'll need to show the best hand down to win. In other words, you'll have to catch your flush and show it to pull the pot. On the other hand if there are just a couple opponents or less in, then there is a good chance your betting can win without needing to catch. So be more inclined to bet into fewer opponents with your draws.
2. Don't think about how much you could win if you check your draw and then catch later and slow play. That's the wrong approach. The player will call you if he has something and if he doesn't have something, you want him out of there. You'll make money in no limit by doing more betting, not less. One thing I remind people of sometimes is if you aren't getting action with your AA (no one calls), then you don't start just calling with it; instead, you start raising with 88 too.
You have to keep them guessing. The ideal no limit player is a person who is selectively aggressive and creates confusion among the other players while he is in control of the game. In that confusion people are forced to play in ways that leave their chips at risk. You can't win by just slow playing people and hoping situations will be created for you -- you need to create them yourself.
3. Play aggressively. In no limit holdem, calling with a drawing hand is usually a losing proposition. Unlike limit holdem where there are a number players and the bet size is small relative to the pot, in no limit holdem usually you'll be heads up and if you miss your draw on the turn card the person will bet you out. This is why if you are going to play drawing hands you need to be the bettor. Calling is fine sometimes but you have a big edge if you can bet or raise instead of just calling. Ideal flush draws are ones where you have overcards too -- extra outs.
For example, KJs and the flop is 8s9s4h. Notice you have more outs then just the flush draw. Also, if you have the initiative (say if you raised preflop), then definitely follow it up by betting. Losing the initiative leaves you open to being bluffed out or bet out (if they make a bet large enough that you can't call with your draw).
4. For drawing hands in no limit you want a large upside if you win. Chip stack size doesn't matter in limit holdem but in no limit it does. If I see an opponent who is betting recklessly and has a lot of chips, I will intentionally call them with weaker hands preflop in hopes to trap them and win a big pot (or all of their chips). If I had a hand like 89s a trapping situation wouldn't be a flush draw, it would be two pair, a pair and a flush draw, etc. You have to be careful playing draws against maniacs or it can really hurt.
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