Slide 1

Slide 2 After the flop an opponent raised before the flop Strategy: No-Limit Slide 3 What hands do you want to hit? What you want to hit Strong made hands like two pairs or better. A strong draw with eight or more outs (flush draw, OESD, combo-draw). Slow play or not No strong draws that could beat you can exist. Slow play only against a maximum of two opponents. If you have multiple opponents, play offensively. Questions When should you slow play with a strong, made hand? When do you play strong draws passively and when do you play them aggressively? What do you do with average made hands, like a smaller over pair? Slide 4 How do you play a strong made hand on the flop? You are out of position You bet. You check in order to raise if your opponent bets (check/raise). You check and only call a bet from your opponent (check/call). You are in position If it is checked to you, you bet. If the aggressor makes a continuation bet, you should continue to raise on a draw-heavy board. If no good draws are possible, it is OK to just call. Slide 5 Example #1: strong made hand three of a kind Hero (BU) $25 BB $25 UTG1 $25 Hero (BU) $25 BB $25 UTG1 $25 Preflop: UTG1 raises $1, 6 folds, Hero calls $1, 1 fold, BB calls $0.75. Flop: ($3.10) BB checks, UTG1 bets $2.5, Hero calls $2.5. Slide 6 Example #2: strong made hand - flush Hero (BU)$25 UTG1 $25 MP3 $25 CO $25 Hero (BU)$25 UTG1 $25 MP3 $25 CO $25 Preflop: UTG1 raises $1, 4 folds, MP3 calls $1, CO calls $1, Hero calls $1, 2 folds. Flop: ($4.35) UTG1 bets $2.5, 2 folds, Hero raises $9. Slide 7 How do you play a strong draw on the flop? Passive play Your equity is between 25% and 45%. Aggressive play is usually unprofitable. If your draw comes on the turn, you will usually get at least one bet from your opponent before they give up. Rule of thumb In the later rounds, you have to be able to win at least two times your bet on the flop. Slide 8 Example #3: strong draw- flush draw Hero (BU) $25 UTG3 $25 MP1 $25 BB $25 Hero (BU) $25 UTG3 $25 MP1 $25 BB $25 Preflop: 2 folds, UTG3 raises $0.5, MP1 calls $0.5, 3 folds, Hero calls $0.5, 1 fold, BB calls $0.25. Flop:($2.10) BB checks, UTG3 bets $1.75, 1fold, Hero calls $1.75. Slide 9 Example #4: strong draw - OESD Hero (BU) $25 UTG3 $25 MP1 $25 BB $25 Hero (BU) $25 UTG3 $25 MP1 $25 BB $25 Preflop: 2 folds, UTG3 raises $0.5, MP1 calls $0.5, 3 folds, Hero calls $0.5, 1 fold, BB calls $0.25. Flop:($2.10) BB checks, UTG3 bets $4, 1fold, Hero folds. Slide 10 How do you play an average made hand on the flop? You are in position With multiple opponents, you should fold to a continuation bet. Sometimes you should call a bet if your opponent raised from a late position. However, you should fold to a second barrel on the turn. Optionally, you can raise a bet on the flop in order to immediately win the pot. This is particularly recommended for draw heavy flops. You are out of position Often, it is best to act first even against multiple opponents. You can win the flop right away or you can find out where you stand for a low price. Slide 11 Example #5: average made hand over pair + OESD Hero (BU) $25 MP3 $25 Hero (BU) $25 MP3 $25 Preflop: Flop:($2.10) BB checks, UTG3 bets $1.75, 1fold, Hero calls $1.75. 5 folds, MP3 raises $1, Hero calls $1, 3 folds. Slide 12 How do you play on the turn? Strong made hand You play aggressively and at latest now you take over the initiative. If you slowplayed the flop, you should make your action now. Complete draw A complete draw should always be played aggressively! Worthless hand or a weak draw If your opponent acts, you fold. If you are heads-up, your opponent checked on the flop and checks again, you could try a bluff. Average made hand If you called on the flop and the opponent checks on the turn, you should bet. If you raised his bet on the flop and he called, you should play passively. If you are playing OOP and the opponent did not bet on the flop, you should bet on the turn. If you bet on the flop and the opponent called, you should give upon the turn. Slide 13 Example #6: How to play on the turn three of a kind Hero (SB) $25 BU $25 Hero (SB) $25 BU $25 Preflop: Flop: ($2.25) Hero checks, BU bets $1.4, Hero raises $5, BU calls $3.6. 7 folds, BU raises $1, Hero calls $0.90, 1 fold. Turn: ($12.25) Hero bets $8, BU calls $8. Slide 14 Example #7: how to play on the turn over pair Hero (BU) $25 CO $25 Hero (BU) $25 CO $25 Preflop: Flop: ($2.35) CO bets $1.5, Hero raises $5, CO calls $3.5. 6 folds, CO raises $1, Hero calls $1, 2 folds. Turn: ($12.35) CO checks, Hero checks. Slide 15 How do you play on the river? You should continue to play strong made hands, worthless hands and non-made draws as before. Average made hands in position If you bet on the turn and your opponent called, but then bets on the river, you should fold. If your opponent bet on the flop, you called and you both checked on the turn, you can call a bet on the river as long as it is half of the pot size or less. Average made hands out of position If you bet on the flop and on the turn, you should check on the river. If your opponent bets, you can fold without thinking about it. If you both checked on the turn, you should bet a little more than half of the pot size. If your opponent raises, you are definitely behind and you should fold. Slide 16 Example #8: how do you play on the river three of a kind Hero (SB) $25 BU $25 Hero (SB) $25 BU $25 Preflop: Flop: ($2.25) Hero checks, BU bets $1.4, Hero raises $5, BU calls $3.6. 7 folds, BU raises $1, Hero calls $0.90, 1 fold. Turn: ($12.25) Hero bets $8, BU calls $8. If your draw comes on the river in a large pot and you are already committed to the pot, then you should bet instead of letting your opponent take the initiative! River: ($28.25) Hero bets $11 Slide 17 Example #9: how do you play on the river top pair Hero (BU) $25 CO $25 Hero (BU) $25 CO $25 Preflop: Flop: ($2.35) CO bets $1.5, Hero raises $5, CO calls $3.5. 6 folds, CO raises $1, Hero calls $1, 2 folds. Turn: ($12.35) CO checks, Hero checks. River: ($12.35) CO bets $8, Hero folds. Slide 18 Summary Texas holdem lives from aggressiveness Only calling a preflop bet is rarely a good idea. You win if you consistently play good cards aggressively. Exceptions There are hands you can call a pre-flop raise with, but these hands have the ability to become a strong made hand on the flop. Average hands Do not hold on to a weak over pair. Learn to fold average hands as soon as the situation gets a little precarious.