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Copyright 2005 Full
Tilt Poker
August 8, 2005
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Lessons)
Poker Lesson: Chip
Sandwich
Author: Phil Gordon
Let's say an early position opponent - preferably
a loose opponent - raises and gets called by one or more players.
Now there's a lot of money in the pot. More importantly, the players
who simply called are unlikely to have a hand that would merit
calling a big re-raise. If they had such a hand, they probably
would have raised instead of flat calling in the first place.
Now it gets to me.
I "sandwich" the callers with a big raise.
If my raise gets the initial raiser to fold, the
meat of the chips will very often be coming my way.
I prefer to make this play from the blinds than
from the button; if one of the blinds happens to wake up with
a great hand, it really doesn't matter what the initial raiser
was betting with - my goose is cooked.
I get maximum value from the sandwich raise when
I am down to about 15 big blinds. For instance: I'm in the small
blind. A loose player brings it in from early position for three
times the big blind. Two players call. There are now 10.5 blinds
in the pot. I look down and find 8-7 suited.
I raise all-in.
The initial raiser now has to make the tough decision
as to whether to call a significant raise. Even if my timing is
off and he has a big hand - let's say A-K - and decides to call
the bet, I'm still in pretty good shape. My 8-7 suited will beat
his A-K about 41% of the time. I've invested 15 big blinds and
stand to win 37 big blinds. I'm getting exactly the right odds
on my money here.
I won't make this play with a hand that can easily
be dominated, like a small ace or king. I don't want to be 25%
(or less) to win if I can help it.
And by making the play all-in, I completely negate
my positional disadvantage, and make the most of my short stack.
With all of my money in the pot, I can't be outplayed after the
flop.
If it's chips you're hungry for, try the sandwich.
You might just find that it hits the spot.
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