 |
 |
 |
| |
DECEPTION AND THE ABILITY OF YOUR OPPONENTS
A question you must
always address, then, is when to play a hand straightforwardly
and when to use deception. The most important criterion
for making this decision is the ability of your opponents.
The tougher they are, the more you must consider playing
a hand other than optimally to throw them off. The weaker
they are, the more you can get away with optimum play. Thus,
if you have a good hand on an early round, you would not
put in that last raise against tough players, but with a
weaker hand you might consider putting in an extra bet to
make your opponents think your hand is stronger than it
is. For example, with a three flush on third street in seven-card
stud you might throw in a reraise to create the wrong impression.
Now if you happen to pair on board, you have the extra equity
that your opponents may fold incorrectly, afraid you have
three-of-a-kind or two pair.
On the other hand, if you are playing against dunces or
just mediocre players, you don't gain enough in deception
to justify the cost. Against such players you should put
in an extra raise when you think you have the best hand,
but throwing in an extra bet with a weaker hand, against
someone who won't fold anyway, simply costs you extra money.
In using deception, then, you must weigh the ability of
your opponents against the extra cost.
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
Pot
Size and Number of Opponents |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
 |
|
 |
