Why Didn’t You Bet That?

"I was hoping he would bet" is the reply that I get most of the time. Either that or "ahhh.. I don't know"

You know the game is about winning some money, right? Well, when you get a hand, you have to bet it! There are so many times that guys we play with pick up hands and don't bet them. Don't get me wrong. Kenny does.  He's one of the fellas that mixes up with us and The Pirate. DC does too, but he could certainly get a little more value for some of his hands that he only min-raises. The Pirate though, will stomp on your throat. He gets two pair and value bets the daylights out of that puppy. It might not always be good, but you better believe that he is putting money in the pot.  Plus, if you don't call, don't expect to see what he had either.  It's going into the muck.

The same has to be the case for you. When you flop a set or a straight, don't be skeered. Bet it! Don't wait for someone else to bet either!

I'm here to tell you that betting the pot or even overbetting is not a bad idea. There are players that are just looking for reasons to stick around. The Pirate will, even with bottom pair! So, get some cash for your trouble. You know you've been sitting there waiting for a hand.

Now, one other thing. Take the time to bet some of those other hands too. You know the ones that if you really think about, you are probably good. Like a wired pair of 10's on a board of J, 4, 2 that got checked around to you. And just because The Pirate called the bet and a 3 comes doesn't mean you should not bet that too. Im not saying that if you get raised you should stick around, but.. what range would you put him on?

I am going to give you a perfect example of a solid value bet The Pirate makes:

I remember him being in late position against one other player on a flop of Ac, 2d, 2c. It's checked to him and he bets $3.50. There wasn't any preflop action either.

The turn is 9c and checked to him again. He bets another $3.50.

River is 9h and checked again. The Pirate bets one more $3.50 and gets called. He flips up A10 and takes the pot vs. A5.

There was no raise at any point against him, so he KNEW it was good and probably anything more than $3.50 wasn't getting called by the player he was in with..