Q: Why do we want to bet in poker?
A: Because we hope that betting on these Texas games will be profitable in the long run.
This is the only reason why we bet (or raise) in the poker game. It’s that simple. However, understanding why a bet can be profitable is very tricky.
“In fact, the two main reasons for betting are:
1. For value.
2. For bluffing.
In poker, every profitable bet (or raise) is due to one of the two reasons. In order to be able to make a successful bet, it is very necessary to learn to identify what causes you to bet (or raise). But don’t worry, it is not difficult.
“Why do you want to bet for value? 1. You think you have the best hand, and at the same time you think your opponent will call with a bad hand.
We never know if we hold the best hand, but it doesn’t matter. The important thing is that when we bet, we have a reason to believe that our hand is the best. But judging whether we hold the best cards requires skill, and it takes time and practice to obtain this kind of poker skill. But the key point is that whenever a pair holds a bad hand betting, we are making money. In a hand, it does not matter whether our opponent will hit the draw and overtake us. The important thing is that when we bet, the opponent’s win rate is not high, and more money is invested in the pot.
“An example of betting for value (value betting):
Our card: A♠K♦
Opponent’s hand: K♥Q♣
Card face: K♣9♦3♥
The opponent’s win rate is very low (14% win rate versus our 86% win rate). If we bet at this time, we are betting for value. Because when a hand like KQ calls, we make money. In this case, we won’t know that the opponent does hold KQ, but this is an example of value betting on the flop, because we have reason to believe that we have the best hand and that the hand that is weaker than us will Call. We hope that our opponents will call here, because this will make us profitable. If they fold, from their point of view, they played well because they did not waste money. Therefore, we also missed an opportunity to make money.
“Why would you bet for bluffing?”
1. You know you have a bad hand, but you think you can make your opponent discard a better hand.
2. You want your opponent to fold.
Whatever the reason, you firmly believe that although you have a bad hand, you can make your opponent fold. If they really fold a hand with a higher win rate than ours, they will make a mistake, and we will profit from their mistakes. Bluff betting requires more skill than value betting, because it is hard to believe that we will let our opponents cover a better hand. Nevertheless, if used properly, this is still profitable.
“Example of placing a bet for bluffing (bluffing betting): Our hand: 8♥7♥
Opponent’s hand: T♣9♦
Card: A♣T♦4♥K♥
The opponent chooses to check on both the flop and the turn. In this case, although we know the rules of the Texas game and we are not the best hand, we can force our opponent to fold by betting here. Therefore, when we bet, we are betting for bluffing. To We want to see our opponent conceal a hand that is better than ours (in this case a pair). We don’t want to be called, so this is obviously a bluff.
“Find out what your equity is in a hand, and you will know what type of betting you are making.
1. If you think you have more than 50% equity in a hand, you are betting for value.
2. If you think you have less than 50% equity in a hand, you are betting for bluffing.
Always be clear why you bet
Are you betting for value or bluffing? If you cannot answer this question confidently, you should not bet (or raise) at the beginning. Blindly betting (or raising) is a very poor play, and it will be a huge hole in your game. Many novice players lose money because they don’t know why they want to bet (or raise) in the first place.
“Example:
Our hand 22, opponent’s hand: unknown
Card face: A 4 8 K 4
In this hand, the opponent and us checked until the river. On the river, the opponent checked again, and at this time, we decided to bet. but why? What do we hope to get by betting here? 1. For value? Do we want a hand that is weaker than ours to call? Do not.
2. For bluffing? Do we want to fold a hand that is better than ours? Do not. As you can see, there is no reasonable reason for us to bet here, so we’d better follow the check instead of risking being called by a better hand and losing a lot of money to bet .
A summary of the reasons for betting in a poker game
“1. If you think that most of the time a hand worse than you will call your bet, you are betting for value.
2. If you think you can fold a hand that is better than you most of the time, you are betting for bluffing.
Before you bet (or raise) each time, try to determine which of the two is your reason for betting. If you can’t figure out the reason for your bet from these two, then reconsider whether you should bet (or raise). When you place a bet, it is very simple to understand the difference between the two different purposes. But consider clearly why it is more difficult for you to bet, for value? Or is it for bluffing? With practice, this will become easier, so the sooner you start trying to figure out these things, the better. As mentioned earlier in the article, there is a third reason for betting, which usually occurs when the flop is continuous betting. This is a bet to win dead money.