Well you have all seen it at one time or another. And sadly it is
a love hate relationship with me. I love that there are idiots out there that
bet like this in NL Hold'em, and I hate stupid people because they get on my
nerves. It’s the guy that does not know how weak and pathetic his bet is. It’s
the guy that miss-bets every single time. It’s the guy that will never win a
tournament.
So you’re saying "Tommy what the heck are you talking about? Enlighten us
with your wisdom!" Well enlighten you I will. I feel like Yoda sometimes
preaching how to play poker to a young Luke Skywalkers, and then I realize that
my game has more holes than the levees in New
Orleans. But its fun acting like I know what I am
talking about, plus I like making fun of people in general, because well I am
perfect.
So you are sitting in a tournament (it could be a cash game also) the blinds
are 15-30 and it’s raised pre-flop to 120. There are 3 callers and then even
the BB decides that he to will call because hey he is pot committed. The flop
comes out J-K-3. The BB first to act thinks for a while then he pushes all in..
Oh wait nope he bets 30. 30 huh ? Ya real strong there BB. I think I will
now fold what I raised or called a raise pre-flop with. WRONG... I will raise
it again. It amazes me how many people will actually fold to this minimum
bet bluff tactic. It amazes me even more how many people just call it. This
minimum bet signals to me that the person is extremely weak or extremely
strong, most of the time they are weak. So raise it up bet the pot or at
least a half pot bet even if the flop missed you. If this bet was
uncharacteristic for the player then maybe bet a half pot and if he calls he
has you beat, but he will likely check to you on the turn or beat weak again. The
minimum bet after a raised pot is such a stupid play that it is just throwing
your money away. If you ever call or raise pre-flop continue that betting /
raising bet an amount that is worthy of the pot. Don’t act like you are now
starting the betting over with 0 in the pot. Always maintain a rough estimate
if not exact count of what is in the pot and bet accordingly.
A tight aggressive player in NL is often a winning player. You made a decision
to enter that pot because you had a good starting hand now finish it up strong
by continuing to play that good starting hand. Don't let some rookie that does
not know what the pot value is bluff you out or drag a pot by betting weak and don’t
be a weak bettor yourself. Maintain your composure make the reads and make the
plays that will make you the next poker icon.
