Poker Strategy - Slow Playing
The art of the poker slow play is that of setting a trap for your opponents. Poker is often thought of by the public as a game of chance, because the cards being dealt are completely random. The problem with that line of thinking is that is precludes the idea that betting is static, and players do not employ a certain level of skill to maximize returns in the appropriate situations, the slow play is precisely this type strategy.
The first thing to understand about slow playing in poker is that it should be used only occasionally, and only when you land a monster hand. A typical slow play situation happens when you land pocket Aces or pokcet Kings before the flop, and you do not want to play so aggressively to push everyone out of the pot. A successful slow play attempts to limp into the pot, and encouraging others to either bet up the pot, or stay in the mix until after the flop. This is done so that a player can try and coax as many chips as possible into the pot. The obvious danger of this strategy is that playing a hand is such a weak manner allows your opponents to flop a set, straight or flush and turn the table. Even a marginal hand off the draw can turn into a monster with the right flop.
Here are some tips for maximizing the pot and luring more of your opponents chips into the pot.
- After the flop, and sitting in early position, check raise your opponents.
- After the flop, and sitting in late position, raise and re-raise.
- Do not employ this strategy too often, and only with the right cards. If you scare the table, it will not work again that night.
- Know how your opponents view your play, if they think you are super-tight or overly loose, use this to your advantage by playing in a manner that would lead them to believe you are weak and susceptible to a raise
- This is a dangerous strategy to employ with pocket Queens or lower, as there is a 41% chance of hitting an overcard.
- If you get a chance to trap your opponent, do not hesitate. This is a game about patience, and making the most of a situation, a well timed slow-play can win you more money in a single hand than you did all night, or makeup for any losses.
One thing to keep in mind, is to not get tunnel vision and lose sight of the obvious. Good cards help, but they guarantee nothing. Make sure that you keep an eye on how the hand is unfolding, and not get too cocky.