Poker News

George Epstein

In poker it is legal to steal. If you can steal two or three pots during the course of a session, that may well be the margin of victory for you. “Making your move” is a super strategy to help you win the pot without holding the best hand. Like other bluffing strategies, there is a right time and a right way to make such a move successfully. Otherwise you would be wasting your hard-earned money ($$$).

When is It Right? The best time to make a move is just after the flop. Players like to see the flop; so it is hard to force all of them out by raising pre-flop. On the other hand, after the flop your opponents’ hands are better defined. If the flop didn’t help them, they are more inclined to fold when you bet or raise. Also, after the flop there is likely enough $$$ in the pot to make it profitable for you to risk a bet to steal it; but not so much that an opponent would be inclined to stay to see the turn.

Make your move when the conditions are right and against the “right” opponents. As in any other form of bluff, it works best against a limited number of opponents. Four or more opponents are tough to force out unless they all happen to be very timid and tight players; that’s not likely. If you face an aggressive or deceptive player, you might find him raising you; he suspects that you are on a move.

Most important is the nature of the flop. Usually, opponents who stayed to see the flop hold one or more big picture cards. They hoped the flop would match their big cards. Some may have started with two suited cards or connectors; but even they would more likely call pre-flop with medium to high cards. So what kind of flop is best if you want to be successful in making your move to steal the pot post-flop? Think about it. . . If there are any picture cards, it is likely that the flop “hit” one or more opponents. If there are two suited cards, someone may now be holding four-to-a-flush; he won’t fold when you bet post-flop. Best would be if the flop consisted of unconnected and unsuited (non-coordinated) small-to-medium rank cards. If a pair falls on the flop, that could also be a favorable time to make your move - on the premise that none of your opponents likely holds a matching card. Remember, they don’t know what you hold, so a bet here could signal that you made trips.

And the Right Way? We suggested that that it is best to make your move post-flop when there are three or fewer opponents in the pot, and no aggressive or deceptive players; and the flop consists of three small-to-medium unrelated cards or a pair. Let’s say you stayed in pre-flop with a medium or perhaps, in late position, a small pair - hoping to flop a set. Perhaps you held two face cards; maybe your hole cards were suited connectors. But the flop didn’t help. . . You could check along with the others. Or you could bet out; make your move. . .

This might be your best chance to win that pot. One opponent has checked to you; the remaining opponent(s) are not aggressive and, preferably, quite timid. It’s your turn to declare. Call attention to yourself by saying “time” as you examine your hole cards. Let them think you are verifying your holdings. Then get your $$$ into the pot boldly, with an air of confidence.

Making your move to steal the pot post-flop is a great strategy. Try it sometime. . .

. . . So readers, what’s YOUR opinion?

Filed under: Poker News