Jul 22 2008
Easy on The Slow Play
When you have a big hand, and you check, call, or bet small, you are slow playing your hand. This tactic sometimes pays off big. Generally, this is a dangerous and foolish play that can cost you chips.
This isn’t to say that there aren’t times when this move can be the right play. The problems arise when you do this move at the wrong time. Let’s look at what can happen.
You’re at the beginning of a big tournament. So, the blinds are small and everyone has plenty of chips. You are dealt AA in early position. You decide to minimum raise, to hide the strength of your hand. Two players make the call. The flop comes A 10 6.
You continue with a small bet to disguise your big hand. One opponent calls you. The turn card is a 9. You make another small raise hoping to keep him around.
Now, you get what you think you’re looking for. He throws in a big fat raise. You call, and the river brings an innocent 2. Now, your thinking, how much can I bet and get a call. You bet that amount and hope he calls. To your surprise he goes all in.
Well, you can’t fold, can you? You call, and when he flips over 78 of diamonds, your jaw drops. You’re out of the tournament. Out because you slow played yourself out.
When you bet small pre flop, you let people in. When you bet small on the flop, you kept them around. When he pushes all in, you have to call, and you’re done.
Were you just unlucky? Most players just think they got a raw deal. Are they right? Let’s consider this.
When you made your first bet you invited a lot of players into the hand. When you bet small on the flop, you keep players around. When he goes all in at the end you call planning to see two pair, or a small set. You wouldn’t have to slow play to keep these hands calling.
By not betting much, you wouldn’t have made that many chips against some hands that would have been calling you. On the other hand, you get creamed when you make it cheap for someone to hit a long shot.
I think we all learn this lesson the hard way, by losing a few hands this way. I’m not saying never slow play, but most of the time it won’t make you more chips. In addition, sometimes you’ll get burned, bad.