Decide to Play Great Poker Flashcards
Big Hand, HU, In Pos, With Lead, Dry
Flop: Opponent bets
Action: Call
This is a weak lead.
Big Hand, HU, In Pos, With Lead, Dry
Flop: Opponent checks
Action: Bet
Gives cover when you don’t have a monster.
Big Hand, HU, In Pos, Without Lead, Dry
Flop: Opponent bets
Action 1: Call
- OK most of the time.
- An aggressive player would bet with anything.
Action 2: Raise (if opponent is passive)
- he has twice said he is strong
- be sure to bet at least 3x his bet, or pot size. A min-bet screams strength and that you want a call. Only do this if he’s creative enough to 3-bet bluff you.
Big Hand, HU, In Pos, Without Lead, Dry
Flop: Opponent checks
Action 1: Bet
- He likely hit the flop. This should scream strength.
- He’s probably going for a check-raise so oblige him.
- If he raises, re-raise over the top.
Action 2: Check (rare)
- Against the most passive players that really do check when they miss.
Big Hand, HU, Out of Pos, With Lead, Dry
Flop: What’s your action?
Action: Bet
- Hope for a raise and then re-raise big!
Big Hand, HU, Out of Pos, Without Lead, Dry
Flop: What’s your action?
Depends on opponent
Action 1: Check to the leader
- not checking to check-raise
- O: bets, H: call. Take a read:
- Turn: H: bet (if O seemed strong, inducing a raise, or if board becomes slightly textured)
- Turn: H: check (if O seemed uncomfortable, or if non-textured turn card)
- Check-raise now or check-call and lead out on the river
Action 2: Bet (if highly aggressive and creative opponent)
- if he raises, you re-raise
- if he calls, check the turn and hope he bets
Big Hand, Multi-way, In Pos, With Lead, Dry
Flop: Check to you
Action: Bet
- they will assume c-bet
- don’t give infinity-to-1 odds
- checking multiway with the lead tells a weird story (shows strength)
- give cover to your smaller holdings
- give a weaker hand a chance to check-raise
Big Hand, Multi-way, In Pos, With Lead, Dry
Flop: Bet in front of you
Weird. Take a moment and figure out what’s going on.
If from player C, read it as a weak attempt to pick up the pot, a huge hand would trap.
Action: Call (same as HU). A or B may read you as weak and re-raise, or were already planning a check-raise.
If from player B..
- if C folds, play as HU and just call.
- if C calls, he has a hand. Raise! Your overcall behind would already show strength.
If from player A..
- if B & C fold, play as HU and just call.
- if B or C (or both) call, then raise.
Big Hand, Multi-way, In Pos, Without Lead, Dry
Flop: Check to you
Action: Bet
Big Hand, Multi-way, In Pos, Without Lead, Dry
Flop: Bet in front of you
Pre-flop bettor keeps the lead
If A bets, and B & C fold, play as HU. Call unless A may read your bet as weak and re-raise you.
Most opponents read your call as attempt to slow him down and will fire a second barrel on the turn. Then you can raise.
If A bets and any callers (or B bets and C calls), you raise.
- Call looks unnaturally strong, and raise looks weak.
If pre-flop bettor gives up the lead.
Action determined by whether anyone calls between you and the new leader.
- With calls, you raise.
- Without calls, you call (play as HU).
Big Hand, Multi-way, In Pos, Without Lead, Dry
Flop: Bet in front of you
Pre-flop bettor gives up the lead
Action determined by whether anyone calls between you and the new leader.
- With calls, you raise.
- Without calls, you call (play as HU).
Big Hand, Multi-way, Out of Pos, With Lead, Dry
Flop: What’s your action?
Action: Bet
- If raised, you’re golden
- If call, you can go for a check-raise on the turn
Big Hand, Multi-way, Out of Pos, Without Lead, Dry
Flop: What’s your action?
Action: Bet
- Looks like a probe bet, weak lead
Big Hand, HU, In Pos, With or Without Lead, Wet
Flop: Check to you or first to act
Action: Bet
- Give draws the wrong price to call
- Make worse hands pay
- Allow a check-raise bluff (or semi-bluff)
If raised, re-raise (don’t just flat call)
Big Hand, HU, In Pos, With or Without Lead, Wet
Flop: Someone else bets
- either c-bet or betting into you
Action: Raise
Big Hand, HU, Out of Pos, With Lead, Wet
Flop: What’s your action?
Action: Check-raise or Bet
- you don’t want to give a free card
Big Hand, HU, Out of Pos, Without Lead, Wet
Flop: What’s your action?
Action 1: Check (to check-raise)
- check to the raiser
Action 2: Bet
- only if your opponent is the most passive of passive players
Big Hand, Multi-way, In Pos, With Lead, Wet
Flop: Someone else bets
Action: Raise*
*But if you see lots of action ahead of you, evaluate the strength of your hand, esp. if you’re on the low-end of the big-hand range
If the turn is a blank, bet if checked to you, and raise if there is a bet ahead of you.
Big Hand, Multi-way, In Pos, With Lead, Wet
Flop: Check to you
Action: Bet
- if raised, re-raise
If the turn is a blank, bet if checked to you, and raise if there is a bet ahead of you.
Big Hand, Multi-way, In Pos, Without the Lead, Wet
Flop: Someone else bets
Action: Raise
Big Hand, Multi-way, In Pos, Without the Lead, Wet
Flop: Check to you
Action: Bet
Big Hand, Multi-way, Out of Pos, With or Without Lead, Wet
Flop: What’s your action?
Action: Check (to check-raise)
Big Draw, HU, In Pos, With the Lead
Flop: Opponent checks
Action: Bet
- if raised, re-raise or shove
Big Draw, HU, In Pos, With the Lead
Flop: Opponent bets
Action: Raise
- raise big, all-in if you’re close to the right amount
Big Draw, HU, In Pos, Without the Lead
Flop: Opponent bets
Action: Raise
- raise big, all-in if you’re close to the right amount
Big Draw, HU, In Pos, Without the Lead
Flop: Opponent checks
Action: Check
Alarm bells. He may be strong and going for a check-raise. Take the free card and infinity-to-1 odds.
Big Draw, HU, Out of Pos, With or Without Lead
Flop: What’s your action?
Action: Check
If he checks, fine. If he bets, check-raise.
Big Draw, Multi-way, In Pos, With or Without Lead
Flop: Checked to you
Action: Bet*
*One exception: If original raiser is directly to your right and surrenders the lead.
If only one caller (no raise) you’re likely to win the pot with a bet on the turn.
If check-raised..
- If no caller in between, re-raise big or move all-in, or,
- Fold if opponent would only check-raise a monster (unless you’re being offered better than 3-to-1 odds, then you can flat-call to try to hit the flush).
If it goes check, check, check, you bet, then fireworks, usually run away!
Big Draw, Multi-way, In Pos, With or Without Lead
Flop: Bet to you
Action: Raise, but only if you can reasonably expect to win the pot right here or get heads up. Otherwise, flat call.
If one bet in front of you, raise big. Raise the pot or go all-in.
If one bet and a call, raise big (squeeze play).
If there is one bet ahead of you..
- and multiple callers, only raise if you have a good chance of winning the pot right there, otherwise call for the good price
- and a raise, take a read. Only raise if you have a good chance of winning the pot right there, otherwise fold if stacks are deep. Can call if you suspect no more action or not enough chips for a tough choice.
Big Draw, Multi-way, Out of Pos, With or Without Lead
Flop: What’s your action?
Action: Check
- you may see a free card
- you often get to check-raise
(if called, check-raise turn & river to get all-in?)
- see fireworks for free and fold
If check, check, bet, you check-raise.
If check, bet, fold, fold, then check-raise.
If check, bet, and a caller, take a read. Make sure they’re capable of folding before squeeze play.
If check, bet, and more than one caller, call for the good price.
Small Draw, HU, In Pos, With Lead
Flop: Opponent checks
Action: Bet
- standard c-bet
If you’re check-raised all-in, fold unless you’re getting better than 3-to-1 odds.
If flat called and turn completes your flush, and checks to you, you must bet! You can’t afford to give a free card to a lone big flush card. And if you get check-raised, you’re in trouble!
Small Draw, HU, In Pos, With Lead
Flop: Opponent bets
Action: Call*
- semi-bluff float
*Only raise against the tightest and weakest opponents
Small Draw, HU, In Pos, Without Lead
Flop: Opponent bets
Action: Call
- semi-bluff float
Small Draw, HU, In Pos, Without Lead
Flop: Opponent checks
Action: Check
- alarm bells! Take the free card
Small Draw, HU, Out of Pos, With Lead
Flop: What’s your action?
Action: Bet
- standard c-bet
If called, you have to decide whether to double-barrel bluff if turn misses.
If turn hits flush card, you must bet!
Small Draw, HU, Out of Pos, Without Lead
Flop: What’s your action?
Action: Check
Check-fold or check-raise semi-bluff.
Small Draw, Multi-way, In Pos, With or Without Lead
Flop: Check to you
Action: Bet
- hoping nobody raises or even calls
- this is a bluff
- bet half pot
If any callers, only double-barrel (bet turn) if HU
Small Draw, Multi-way, In Pos, With or Without Lead
Flop: Bet to you
If A & B check and C bets, consider a raise as a semi-bluff. Or, if that’s not possible, flat call, but that’s ugly.
If A bets, B & C call, you should fold!
- even though great pot odds, they likely have flush draws
If any combo of bet & raise between A, B, and C, you fold.
If A bets and everyone folds, you can call.
- shows strength to bet into the field
- don’t raise or you may get 3-bet
Small Draw, Multi-way, Out of Pos, With or Without Lead
Flop: What’s your action?
Action: Check
- trying to see the turn card for cheap
If down to one player, you could check-raise
- playing like a real hand would
- you may hit your flush
Bet, call, call, you fold.
If you check, B & C check and D bets, you can consider a raise as a bluff
- B & C might be trapping
- you don’t want any callers. You’re bluffing, not drawing.
If B bets, he’s likely strong.
Top Pair, HU, In Pos, With Lead, Dry
Flop: Opponent checks
Action: Bet
- standard c-bet
If check-raised, re-raise.
- Strongest hands wouldn’t raise
If called, his whole range is open.
On turn, if he checks again, check!
- resist the urge to bet
- intend to call a river bet
On turn, if he bets, raise!*
- If re-raised, you can fold. (likely not a bluff)
*if you have a read that your hand is best, you could flat call and pick off his bluff/overly aggressive value bet on the river.
*against passive players, flat-call. If they never fire a third-barrel bluff, you would know you’re beat on the river and fold.
Top Pair, HU, In Pos, With Lead, Dry
Flop: Opponent bets
Action: Call
- weak lead
- you likely have the best hand
If he checks on turn, you check
- don’t risk getting check-raised and folding the best hand
If he bets the turn, you raise.
- if he calls, then bets the river, folding is almost always correct
If opponent checks river, you check.
- don’t risk opening the action
Top Pair, HU, In Pos, Without Lead, Dry
Flop: Opponent bets
Action: Call
- a raise would reveal your hand is not super strong (like a set)
On turn, if he bets, ask yourself these two questions.
Q1: Is my opponent capable of folding a better hand if I raise?
Q2: If I call and he bets the river, is he the type of opponent I’d have to call down?
If either is Yes, you should raise.*
*Except, if your opponent could never fold a better hand, don’t raise.
*If opponent would never bet the river without a huge hand, you can flat-call and fold to a river bet, or check if he checks.
On turn, if he checks, you check.
If he then checks the river, you should bet.
If he bets the river, you should call.
Top Pair, HU, In Pos, Without Lead, Dry
Flop: Opponent checks
Action: Check
- alarm bells
If he checks the turn, you can bet then.
If he bets the turn, flat-call
- feel out the river
- try to keep the pot small
Top Pair, HU, Out of Pos, With Lead, Dry
Flop: What’s your action?
Action: Bet
- standard c-bet
If raised, re-raise
- he likely doesn’t have a monster
- calling is a problem due to position
If opponent, flat calls, then check the turn.
- avoid re-raise
- keep the pot small
If he checks back on the turn, bet the river.
If he bets the turn, you can go for a re-raise*
*against a passive opponent who would never bet the river without a huge hand, you can call the turn and feel out the river
Top Pair, HU, Out of Pos, Without Lead, Dry
Flop: What’s your action?
Action: Check
- you can’t bet and show a “weak lead”
If opponent checks the flop, you check the turn.
- his check is suspicious, either he’s weak or trapping
If opponent bets the turn, you call
- don’t check-raise
- feel out the river
On river, you can bet (defensive bet) or check to induce a bluff from a worse hand
If opponent bets the flop, you call
- don’t check-raise
Check on turn.
If he bets, you check-raise.
- avoid river decision out of position
- punish double-barrel bluffer
- better hand may fold
Top Pair, Multi-way, In Pos, With or Without Lead, Dry
Flop: Check to you
Action: Bet
- the multi-way pot is functionally textured
- cannot give a free card
If A & B fold, and C check-raises, that’s strange. You should re-raise.
If A check-raises, that shows strength.
If even a single call in-between, fold! (no draws). Same if you get many callers to your bet.
If one bet in front of you on turn, treat it as HU if possible and raise.*
*Not just a knee-jerk raise:
1. you can get a better hand to fold
2. the bet on the river won’t be meaningful enough that you could fold with the confidence that your hand is no good
3. the other player’s hand might beat yours
Top Pair, Multi-way, In Pos, With or Without Lead, Dry
Flop: Bet to you
If A & B check, and C bets, you can flat call.
- you’re likely ahead
If A& B fold. if C checks the turn, check. If he bets the turn, raise (unless you believe you have the better hand)
Fold to any check-raise
- that is not a squeeze on a dry board with interest
If multi-way and checked to you on the turn, then bet.
If a bet and more than one call (or a raise), then fold.
If A bets the flop, and B or C (but not both) calls, you can flat-call too.
- you are overcalling, shows strength
If they both check to you on the turn, you bet.
- If one folds and one calls, play the river with caution. Take a read.
- If both call, A bets on river and B calls, lean toward folding.
- If A checks and B bets, flat-call. If A check-raises, easy fold.
- If A bets and B folds, take a read.
If A bets the turn and B folds, play as HU.
- lean toward a raise, but call if river bet will be meaningful to fold if beat
If A checks the turn and B bets, flat-call.
If A bets the turn and B raises, easy fold.
If A bets the turn and B calls, either raise or fold.
Top Pair, Multi-way, Out of Pos, With Lead, Dry
Flop: What’s your action?
Action: Bet
- standard c-bet
- hope not a lot happens
With one or more callers, check the turn.
With one caller, play as HU.
- check-raise the turn
- bet river if turn is checked
With many callers, anytime there is a bet, take a read
- check-raise if you can win the pot right there
- fold if you have the worst hand and can’t bluff it
- call if the situation warrants based on your opponent
Any combo of bet/call/raise or bet/raise/call ahead of you, you can fold.
Top Pair, Multi-way, Out of Pos, Without Lead, Dry
Flop: What’s your action?
Action: Check
If it’s checked to the raiser who bets, you call
- don’t check-raise
If early checkers now raise, you fold.
If multiple callers and any bet and raise, fold.
If checked to the raiser again and he bets, call again and see what other players do. Or, check-raise if it may win the pot.
If everyone checks the flop, you can bet the turn. If any fireworks, fold. If one caller, check it down, or check/call the river.
If bet and one call, you should fold.
Top Pair, HU, In Pos, With Lead, Wet
Flop: Check to you
Action: Bet
- standard c-bet
If called and draw doesn’t hit on turn..
- if opponent checks, you bet to price out the draw
- if opponent calls the turn..
- - if texture misses and opponent checks river, you check
- - if river is blank and opponent bets, take a read, lean toward calling
- if river completes the texture, mostly check
- if he looks unhappy, you can bet, otherwise check it down
- it would be a bluff to get a better hand to fold
- if river completes the texture and opponent bets, take a read, generally fold
If called and texture completes on the turn..
- If opponent checks and you have nut draw, check behind. Then call or bet the river.
- without the nut draw, you bet, and if you get check-raised, you fold. if opponent calls and fourth flush card comes, you fold to a bet, or bet (bluff) if he checks.
- If opponent bets into you with nut draw, call (if opponent likely has the flush) or raise (if he may lay down the best hand)
- without the nut draw, raise or fold
If opponent check-raises the flop, take a read.
- if you think you’re beat, fold
- if against a draw, re-raise or call and then punish on the turn if it misses
- if may have the best hand, flat call
Top Pair, HU, In Pos, With Lead, Wet
Flop: Opponent bets
Action: Call
- don’t raise to protect. They already paid their price
Turn: blank
Opponent checks, you bet
- force the draw to pay
- if he calls and river misses and he checks, just check it down
- if he calls and river completes, determine whether he would fold a better hand (but you may face a check-raise), mostly check
Opponent bets, raise
Turn: completes & opponent bets
If no nut draw, fold (to less creative opponent) or raise (opponent willingness to fold best hand).
If nut draw, call (if his hand is better and won’t fold) or raise (if he’s semi-bluffing or may fold a better hand).
Turn: completes & opponent checks
If nut flush draw, you can check.
If no nut flush draw, you must bet (deny free card). If called and fourth flush card, fold if he bets, or bet if he checks. If a blank hits, check behind, unless you can only win with a bluff. If he bets, take a read (likely fold).
Top Pair, HU, In Pos, Without Lead, Wet
Flop: Opponent bets
Action: Call
- standard c-bet
- pot control
- don’t open the action to be bet off with a better hand or a draw
- you will price out the draw on the turn
Turn: Brick
- if opponent checks, you bet
- if opponent bets, you raise (unless river bet is 100% meaningful or you’re sure you have the best hand, then just call, but lean toward raising to price out the flush draw). Bet the pot to give him 2-to1 on the draw.
Turn: completes
- if you have nut draw & opponent checks, you can check as well, and call any river bet (or raise if you hit the flush)
- if you have nut draw & opponent bets, you can call and feel it out, or raise on a semi-bluff
- if no nut flush draw & opponent checks, you must bet. No free card to the fourth flush card. If you get check-raised, fold.
- if no nut flush draw & opponent bets, either fold or raise (if he’ll fold)
Top Pair, HU, In Pos, Without Lead, Wet
Flop: Opponent checks
Action: Check
- he’s either check-raising or check-folding
- a flush draw would almost always c-bet
Turn: Brick
- if opponent checks, you bet
Turn: Completes
- if opponent checks, you bet (with or without nut draw). Be suspicious of check-raise, esp. if you have the nut Ace.
- you do have the option to check with nut Ace, never folding the river.
Top Pair, HU, Out of Pos, With Lead, Wet
Flop: What’s your action?
Action: Bet
- standard c-bet
- if raised you have to continue with hand (you beat most of the range: complete bluff, semi-bluff, weaker Ace). If raised, you call.
- on turn, bet no matter what the card is
- worse hands will fold. if re-raised, you fold.
- if called on flop..
- if turn bricks, you bet. Make the flush draw pay twice.
- If raised, take a read, but lean toward folding.
- if called, check/call the river if a blank hits.
- if called and river completes, take a read. Defensive bet, or check/fold if you’re sure he has the flush.
- if turn completes,
with the nut Ace, play as if no texture. Check to check-raise. - if he checks behind, bet the river no matter what.
- if he bets, check-raise semi-bluff. If you’re raised, you fold.
without the nut Ace, you have to bet the turn.
On river, you can bluff if fourth suit comes, or if river bricks, either check hoping to check it down, or defensive bet if you’re planning to call a river bet anyway.
Top Pair, HU, Out of Pos, Without Lead, Wet
Flop: What’s your action?
Action: Check
Opponent will likely c-bet, you call.
- if turn bricks, you bet.
- if called, put opponent on weak end of range.
If river bricks, check to induce a bluff.
If river completes, take a read. Either check-fold or defensive bet.
Top Pair, Multi-way, In Pos, With or Without Lead, Wet
Flop: Check to you
Action: Bet
- 100% of the time!
If raised, determine from where. If from A, lean toward folding.
If raise is from C after A & B fold, call.
With fireworks, you can fold.
If a single called, play as HU.
Turn blank, bet if he checks, and if he bets, lean toward raising.
Turn completes, bet if he checks. If he bets, fold or raise without nut draw, call or raise with nut draw.
With many callers
- if turn bricks and it’s checked to you, bet.
- if texture completes and it’s checked to you, bet (half pot) to represent the flush. If check-raised, fold.
With Ace of suit, you can check.
- if turn bricks and someone bets, think about where it’s coming from
Top Pair, Multi-way, In Pos, With or Without Lead, Wet
Flop: Bet to you
Depends where it comes from
A bets, B & C fold, play as HU, call in position. On turn brick, bet if A checks, and lean toward raising if A bets. If turn completes, bet if A checks, unless you have nut Ace, you can check.
If A bets, fold or raise without the Ace of suite, call or raise with it.
If A checks, B bets, and C folds, it plays the same.
If A calls, play as any multi-way. If turn bricks, you bet. If completes and checked to you, bet (without nut Ace) or check (with nut Ace).
If turn bricks and bet to you, tend to raise, unless a call in front of you, then you’re probably beat.
If turn completes, you’ll fold if A bets, or raise if B bets. With nut Ace, you will call if A bets, and raise against B.
If A & B check the flop and C bets, raise.
If any two of A, B, and C bet and call, just overcall.
If turn bricks and check to you, bet.
Top Pair, Multi-way, Out of Pos, With Lead, Wet
Flop: What’s your action?
Action: Check
- no c-bet multi-way out of position!
Someone will likely bet (an Ace, flush draw, button).
Fold to fireworks.
Maybe you can back into a HU situation.
Top Pair, Multi-way, Out of Pos, Without Lead, Wet
Flop: What’s your action?
Action: Check
Play rest of hand based on who bets and who had the lead.
C-Bet Bluff, HU, In Pos
Flop: Opponent checks
Action: Bet
- standard c-bet (50-75%)
If called and opponent checks, bet turn.
- second barrel bluff (50%)
Float on Dry Board, HU, In Pos
Flop: Opponent bets
Action: Call
- don’t raise, but “float”
- tell the story of strength
- invest fewer chips for more information
Turn: (Card doesn’t matter, you weren’t calling to hit your hand)
Opponent checks, you bet (50%)
Opponent bets, you can either fold or raise (bluff), depending on the player
Flop-Dependent Bluffs, HU, In Pos
Flop: JJ2
Opponent bets
Action: Call
- orphan flop
- tell a strong story. A Jack would not raise the flop.
Turn: bet or raise (represent the scary card)
Bluffing the Texture, HU, In Pos
Flop: QJ2 (two suits)
Opponent bets
Action: Call
Turn: Blank
Raise if he bets
Turn: Completes
Bet if he checks.
If he still bets, lean toward folding.
If you get to the river, be reluctant to bluff.
- opponent has chosen to put chips into the pot twice
C-Bet Bluff, HU, Out of Pos
Flop: What’s your action?
Action: Bet (50-75%)
- standard c-bet
- avoid out of position bluffs when possible
If called, bet again (50%-75%)
- second-barrel bluff
- especially good against players known to float
- if board is textured, opponent might be calling to hit a draw or bet a scare card
Float on Dry Board, HU, Out of Pos
Flop: What’s your action?
Action: Check - call
- avoid out of position bluffs when possible
- best against opponent with only one-barrel, who will freeze up if you call
Now it takes three streets
- check the turn and hope it’s checked back
- then bet the river (50%)
Bluff Check-Raising the Flop, HU, Out of Pos
Flop: Check (to check-raise)
Best against:
- late-position raiser (esp. button)
- esp. against someone who will check the turn and snap off a bluff on the river, vs. bet the turn so you can check-raise bluff
- you’re calling from the blind
- board has naked Ace or King
Flop-Dependent Bluffs, HU, Out of Pos
Flop: J62 (two suits)
Action: You can check-call the flop and lead out if the texture completes
- only happens 20% of the time (when third suit card comes)
- esp. against unimaginative or timid players
You can also check-raise when the turn misses
Flop-Dependent Bluffs, HU, Out of Pos
Flop: 992
Orphan flop
Check-call the flop, check-raise the turn. If he checks behind, bet the river. If he bets, check-raise the river.
