Betting pre-flop: Weeding out the weak
November 30th, 2007
Why bet at all preflop. I mean if you can get in cheap. Sure that is better than voluntarily putting money into the pot? Yes and no. If you are holding an iffy hand like a pair of 10s at a full table the way you bet could mean the difference of winning and loosing. A pair of 10s will hold up quite well on a low uncoordinated board but are you willing to chance it? There are two things that can be done. Get in cheap and hope the board goes in your favor. If you flop a 10 or top pair great.
Or you can make a strong bet and make everyone else fold and take the pot right there. You risk being called. So you have to be confident of your post flop play and be willing to let the hand go if all flops a bit Pete Tong.
As you get better at reading your opponents, you will learn against what sort of player and in what position you can get away with that kind of play. But if you are first to act you will not go far wrong making a bet with the premium pairs and the high suited connectors. Make people pay to see what you are holding. Weeding out weak hands preflop will only make your strong hand stronger.