A Guide to Betting in Texas
Holdem
Bet Sizing Guidelines
One of the best things
about no limit hold em is the freedom the
players have in their betting. One of the
toughest things is figuring out the perfect
amount to bet in the proper situations. Betting
too much will chase opponent’s out of the pot
that you want in it, and not betting enough is
going to give your opponents the odds to draw on
you.
When you hit the flop, you
usually want to bet around half the size of the
pot, as only betting a third will encourage too
many callers.
Poker is completely
situational and the perfect amount to bet is
going to be different in every hand. There are
times when your opponents are going to be
holding a combo draw, and while you are trying
to push them out of the pot, they are getting
the right odds. While there are no set rules for
betting in no limit, which is part of what makes
the game great, here are some guidelines that
should help you make some decisions.
Making Pot Sized Bets
Pot-sized bets are best
made when you have a strong hand but feel like
your opponent is holding a draw that if made
would beat you. It is sometimes a good idea to
actually make a larger than pot sized bet. With
more and more players having a solid
understanding of pot odds and implied odds, you
need to be careful with how much you bet. If you
bet enough for your opponent to be getting poor
pot odds on his flush draw, but are giving good
implied odds, it is a bad bet.
If you and your opponent are
both sitting with $200, and the flop hits your
hand, and you make a pot sized bet, say its $10.
Though he may only be getting two to one on his
money here, he has a great chance to get you all
in when he makes his flush, which he has 4-1
odds to do.
As with all poker situations,
you really want to be able to put your opponent
on a hand in these situations. It is very
important to know when you are second best.
Betting Two Thirds The Pot
A Two-thirds the size of
the pot bet should be one of the most common
ones you make. This is a sign of having a strong
hand, and is still large enough to use when you
feel your opponent is on a draw. This is a bet
that will let you find out where you stand in
the hand, as it is an easy bet to raise when
holding a monster.
Betting Half The Pot
This is a great bet to make
when you make a strong hand on the flop. Betting
half the pot with two pair, or trips is great
because many players will have the ability to
call you on a draw. It is also a small enough
bet that you do not commit yourself if your
opponent’s do hit their draw. In the long run
you will make money from these plays as you will
be getting players to commit money when they are
in bad spots.
Again, there are no set
guidelines for betting in no limit, if there
was, there would not be any profitable players.
Bet sizing is an art that you must learn in
order to be successful. Proper sizing of your
bets can change the break even player into a
profitable one.
