Poker News

Tom ‘Time’ Leonard

To date we’ve examined several common leaks that plague many a player’s game. We’ve then attempted to set a goal to eradicate the leak to become better, more focused players. Traits that will lead to enhanced bottom-line performance. Let’s talk about drawing hands this time out. The vast majority of intermediate players know their odds when they are on a draw. But, do they always use that knowledge correctly? I know that I see opponents who regularly get out of line with their draws. Are you one of them? Today, let’s just delve into one type of drawing hand… the straight draw. There are two types of straight draws, the inside or gut-shot draw and the openended or up and down draw. Both of these draws can be fraught with danger and knowledge of the odds is only one element of dealing with them properly.

Let’s just focus on the gutshot draw, which many players routinely misplay. How many times do you see players draw to a gut-shot straight after the flop believing they are getting proper pot odds because they know that their odds of completing the draw by the river are 5.1 to 1 against? Then when they miss on the turn they abandon chasing this draw because they know that their odds to complete it have skyrocketed to 10.5 to 1! Well guess the news…if that was their plan from the start, then their odds to hit their draw on the turn was about 11 to 1. They do this all the time and believe that they are playing the odds correctly. Hitting and winning on occasion just reinforces this terrible approach. Winning on occasion, not withstanding, these are the type of players that you would like inhabiting your game. Don’t you fall into this trap!

If, however, you’re getting over 11-1 then by all means ignore your kindly old Uncle Morty’s advice of never drawing to an inside straight. Uncle Morty was probably right playing at the kitchen table, a game which should have been called “Check & Call Showdown”. Playing this brand of poker, Morty so rarely would have the proper odds that his axiom of never drawing to an inside straight just became absolute dictum If you’re not getting the necessary odds to continue, which is often the case, then set a goal to no longer draw to inside straights unless there is a compelling reason to do so. Appropriate reasons might include knowledge of your opponents, over cards, an over pair, or additional other outs to a back door flush. Another aspect that needs to be factored into the equation is, even if you hit your draw, will it prevail? Certainly if you find yourself drawing to an inside straight, so may another opponent or two. If your dream card falls will you have the “idiot” end of the straight or the nuts? It certainly doesn’t help your bankroll or your emotional state to hit the inside draw and lose to a higher straight. As mentioned earlier, these draws can be fraught with danger.

A good way to reinforce laying down slim draws is by taking greater pride in your play. Most of us keep score based upon the number of coins of the realm thatwe possess when we rack up to leave. After all, isn’t that what it’s all about? Try adding another barometer of your performance by taking note of good lay-downs. Remember, a chip saved spends just as well as a chip won! Losing chips because an opponent draws out on you is bearable; it’s part of the game. However, losing chips because you’re playing sloppy, sub-par poker by chasing draws without the pot odds to justify proceeding should make you dedicate yourself to improving your play. Think about it!

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