Reviews
Texas Holdem Deceptive Plays
Unpredictability is absolutely vital in poker. If you're able to confuse your opponents, they are likely to make mistakes. Sometimes they will play weak hands and sometimes they will fold strong hands, just because you've made them feel uncertain. These are some effective tactical moves you should use when possible:
Slowplaying
When you're holding really strong cards it might be a good idea to slowplay. Slowplaying means checking or/and calling in one betting round with the intention of betting/raising in upcoming betting rounds. This play is frequently used on the flop, since the bets are doubled on the turn and river (in fixed Limit games). If you can lure one or more opponents to bet or raise in one of the last two (or both) betting rounds your profit will obviously be greater. However, this move shouldn't be used carelessly. If you slowplay and lose you have wasted a hand that probably would have won if you hadn't slowplayed. Don't slowplay when:
- The pot is large.
- There are many players still in the hand.
- A free card can beat your hand.
- A free card is not likely to give your opponent a second-best hand.
Check-Raising
This is a move that will help you make the most of really strong hands. When you're holding good cards you might check instead of making a bet. You do this hoping that one of the other players will bet giving you the chance to raise when it's your turn to act again. Another reason for check-raising is to make it too expensive for drawing hands, like gut-shot straight draws or overcards, to call. The check-raise from an early position will also give you command of the hand. If your opponents still call, at least you have obtained information about what hands they're holding, and forced them to pay as much as possible for trying to outdraw you.
Gaining a free card
When you are sitting in late position or are last to act, you might make a raise with a drawing hand on the flop. This raise will probably make the other players check to you on the turn, giving you the chance to check (if your hand doesn't improve. If that's the case you have gained a free card) or bet (if your draw hits). This play will save you money if you don't improve your hand, and make you money if you hit. However, this move is a bit risky and will cost you some money if you are re-raised on the flop. But even if that happens it's still a good and valuable play ' you will have obtained information about your opponents and in addition to this you will have a draw to a stronger hand.
Semi-bluffing
Sometimes you should bet or raise even though your hand is not likely to be the best at the moment. The time to do this is when you have many outs to improve your hand, for example a flush draw. This play is called semi-bluffing. When you make a semi-bluff you're hoping to win the pot right away, but if you don't you still have the chance to hit your draw. If you don't hit your draw your raise might give you the opportunity to take a free a card on the turn or river.
