Online Poker at The Poker FatherOnline Poker - ThePokerfather.com - "Keep your friends close, but your Poker Friends Closer" Online Poker - ThePokerfather.com - "Keep your friends close, but your Poker Friends Closer" The Poker Father Online Poker Site
 

 
Poker Lesson 228

Poker Lessons Powered By:

play online poker


Copyright 2010 Full Tilt Poker
June 19th, 2010
(View all Online Poker Lessons)

Poker Lesson: I'd Rather Be a Raiser than a Caller

Author: Roy Winston

Unless you have a monster draw or are slow playing a big hand, calling is often the wrong play at the table. In fact, it often times takes a stronger hand to make a call than it does to make a raise.

"You raised with that?" is a question I hear a lot after showing down a hand. You can make a raise with any two cards (sometimes less than that), but it takes a real hand to make a call.

When I’m in late position in an unopened pot and someone in front of me puts in a raise, I’ll always say to myself, "Hey, I was going to do that!" The fact is opening a pot with a raise is a good idea because it puts you in control, while cold-calling a raise is not a great option for a variety of reasons.

First of all is the realization that I am probably behind. I have lost the ability to take the lead and be the aggressor, and perhaps represent a wide range of hands. Re-raising in position is always an option. However, if the initial raiser was pretty strong, I could wind up facing a re-raise, which could mean a decision for a lot of chips. I have now put myself in a bad position and made the first of perhaps many mistakes in the hand.

Now, I’m not saying there aren’t hands I like to call with pre-flop. For instance, I’ll limp with hands like ace-rag suited (because you can make the nuts), small pocket pairs (looking to flop a set), sometimes big pocket pairs (to camouflage the strength of my hand) and suited connectors in position. But, making a bad call is almost always worse than making a bad fold.

When in doubt, listen to that little voice in your head saying "fold, fold, fold." Even if it turns out you were ahead in the hand when you folded, it’s still better than making a bad call and losing even more chips.

It takes a great player to make great lay-downs; you have to occasionally fold a winning hand. If you’re not sure what to do with a hand, ask yourself whether or not this is a good place to get your chips in the pot.

A combination of smart and aggressive play will help you to improve your results. And personally, I’d rather be a raiser than a caller...

Full Tilt Poker.com Referral Bonus

play online poker



Downloaded from the World Wide Web on June 19th, 2010:
http://www.fulltiltpoker.com/pro-tip/RoyWinston/228

Online Poker Offers you CANNOT REFUSE

Last Updated:

 
Online Poker Offers YOU CANNOT REFUSE!

Help The Poker Father and WIN $100
 
The Pokerfather.com - Online Poker Site The Pokerfather.com - Online Poker Site The Pokerfather.com - Online Poker Site
The Pokerfather.com - Online Poker Site

Online Poker | Poker Bonus | U.S. Poker | Poker News | Poker Games | Casino Games |Poker Rules | Poker Tips
Poker Strategy | Poker Books | Poker Movies | Poker Banners | Partners | Poker Supplys | FreeRoll Poker
Poker Lessons | Poker Glossary | Security | Who We Are | Link Directory | Contact Us | Site Map

Didn't find what you are looking for - try Google, Open Directory Project or Yahoo! Directory

ThePokerFather.com is an independent online poker information website not affiliated with any poker room.
Copyright © 2005-2011 The Poker Father Online Poker Site - All Rights Reserved.

The Pokerfather.com - Online Poker Site