One of the worst things that can happen to you playing in cash games, SnG's, multi-table tournaments, or how ever you are playing poker, is to find yourself up against a large pocket pair. However, playing online at site such as Full Tilt and PokerStars, there are plays that most players will make when they have A-A or K-K in their hand. If you identify these, you can learn to save yourself a lot of chips by staying out of trouble.
The number one thing to look for is the RE-RAISE that isn't large enough. In other words, that player is re-raising, but at the same time he is pricing you into the pot. Think about it. If the blinds are $150-$300 and you are first into the pot with a standard 2.5x raise of $750, you get a raise from a player to your left of $1200. You now have a pot of $2400 and it is only $450 to you to call. You are compelled to make that call because of the tremendous odds you are getting on your money.
Beware, he wants you to make this call. This type of raise is not designed to scare you away, it is designed to build a pot. I am not saying you should fold, you are getting too much of a bargain to fold, especially pre-flop, but at this point you are probably up against a big pair which means you will need to hit the flop to move on in the hand. Many times this play will be followed by another way-too-small bet on the flop as well. Something like $600 or $900 into that pot of $2850 is just begging for a call from you or perhaps a re-raise which he would then re-raise to get all your chips in.
If a bargain in online poker is too good to be true, stick with your gut, it probably is. Novice players will slow-play all big hands. Pro or very good players will value bet to try and build a pot, as well as not let you see any free cards. Obviously, this is not a hard and fast rule, but it is a good rule of thumb to stick with when you are trying to identify what you are up against. More tomorrow on spotting the big pair and also when you have it beaten!
The number one thing to look for is the RE-RAISE that isn't large enough. In other words, that player is re-raising, but at the same time he is pricing you into the pot. Think about it. If the blinds are $150-$300 and you are first into the pot with a standard 2.5x raise of $750, you get a raise from a player to your left of $1200. You now have a pot of $2400 and it is only $450 to you to call. You are compelled to make that call because of the tremendous odds you are getting on your money.
Beware, he wants you to make this call. This type of raise is not designed to scare you away, it is designed to build a pot. I am not saying you should fold, you are getting too much of a bargain to fold, especially pre-flop, but at this point you are probably up against a big pair which means you will need to hit the flop to move on in the hand. Many times this play will be followed by another way-too-small bet on the flop as well. Something like $600 or $900 into that pot of $2850 is just begging for a call from you or perhaps a re-raise which he would then re-raise to get all your chips in.
If a bargain in online poker is too good to be true, stick with your gut, it probably is. Novice players will slow-play all big hands. Pro or very good players will value bet to try and build a pot, as well as not let you see any free cards. Obviously, this is not a hard and fast rule, but it is a good rule of thumb to stick with when you are trying to identify what you are up against. More tomorrow on spotting the big pair and also when you have it beaten!
