by Johnny Hughes » Sat Mar 10, 2007 4:55 pm
You are right in general but when the pot is large and you are pot committed, it is better, usually, to bet and put them on a decision. If fifth street comes and I have a made hand less than the nuts, if I have to call it, I bet it if there are lots of hands I can beat or if I think I have the best hand. An example would be two pair Aces up when I put them on A and a big kicker.
People do not know what I have on this play. They know I, usually, have only a few hands. They think you have a pair, maybe even a small pair. You have to watch the short stacks. With everyone on big stacks, I might make that play with 10,9 suited, if I was on a stack not much bigger than the pot. If I make that play with AA or KK, now I am looking to make the play with a big playable hand. I don't play JJ or QQ very fast, especially pre-flop. They never seem to win many pots when all the cards are out.
I have been lucky in getting called when I had two aces the last few times. Then when I didn't really want a call with A,K, they folded and everyone announced that I probably had AA.
If I have AA or KK, I want to narrow the field but I am happy with one or two callers.
I have found this really works in casinos playing with strangers. You overbet a big pair and get miraculous calls. You move with AK and get AQ thinking you are probably on a small pair when you did not raise at first. I know their reasoning is faulty but thank God for that.
Johnny Hughes