Slow playing

[Yanman]

The slowplay is a powerfull toll but it should not be used to often and all the correct conditions must be in place to do it.

With the exemple of the Q7 on a QQ7 flop with no raise pf, it's a good time to slowplay. At worst, somebody have 3 outs to beat you, eg: QT has 3 T to beat you. or they need runner-runner.

And even here, unless you went all in on the turn, you should not lose too much when you see the second ace on the river, you know that any ace beat you now, so you fold the river when there is a bet...

What you need to realize is a flop bet won't be called, so you gain nothing. But you can get 2 bets on the turn and river if only one ace come. Do some math on the long term and you'll see that everytime you get two value bets is much more profitable than the time you lose vs turn and river aces... It's not because it didn't work this time that it wasn't correct to do so...

The slowplay need to be done when you have all the good cards in your hand like the Q7 here. Also your image is important. If you raise pf and always make a C-bet, slowplaying isn't correct, you'll get more action by betting the flop because it's naturally what you would do even with twos cards that didn't connect than slowplaying...if you change the way you play, they will suspect your monster hand.

Another thing, having the nuts doens't translate into a slowplay.

If i raise OTB with KJo and get two calls. The flop is QhTs9h. I have the nut but you'll never see me slowplay the flop. On the contrary, i wil try to protect my hand the best i can. The flush draw is possible, two pairs can fill up to a boat and a J or a K can split or lose the pot for me... I do have the nut but it can be outdraw pretty easily so protect it.

Same situation but with QQ, get a Q72r flop, i will do my normal C-bet because it's fit my natural play on it doesn't give up the strenght of my hand.

Same situation again but with AA and the flop is AA7... I will slowplay for sure... they can't call on this flop no matter what they have except 77, so give them the chance to make 2nd hand here, this is your pot... happened only once for me, check the flop, turn Q, i called the bet and raised the river bet my opponent paid with KQ... i bet the flop hand he fold for sure...

I love slow playing. It pays off with huge pots when it works. I understand that you can let some1 catch thier draw , but as long as you can fold when you are aware that they might have caught thier cards you will be fine.

There is nothing like slow playing a boat and letting someone catch thier flush. Those are the hands that make poker so fun.

Originally Posted by NeoisStoned

the problem with slowing play is that when u think ur setting the other person up its u who is getting set up i was the to b more so online then i do at casino this happen the other to me had Q7 on the bb n QQ7 flop thought i was in great shape so i bet the min n she call then came ace ace she had AJ thats just 1 problem with slow playing

thats why you only do it if you know you've got the nuts, otherwise its best to raise other people out of calling with draws

Slow playing is not good on cash games. Maybe it works in some tourneys but i really dont like that method

Every hand you play has a losing percentage attached to it. Get use to that fact and you won't go nuts when you get out drawn. You 7 cards just like every one else to make a hand.

With A J I have seen people go all in after flop without hitting any thing allot so slow playing or not there is no answer until the hand is played.

Keep your chin up and remember in the long the odds straighten themselves out. Good luck , take care and have fun.

[JuniorMontana01]

It is the best strategy against agressive players. It can be used when you have the nuts or when your opponent playing agressive. Never slow play a top pair - there are situations when you should but if you play a multi-table tournament or a SnG you have to raise as much as you can.
After your table image was created and they saw that you always bet/raise when you have a hand, your opponents will think that you're a tight and agressive player and after that you can slow play, bluff, etc.

SO, when you try to slow play you have to know that your opponents can get lucky. You have to be careful and pay attention to the other players at the table.
If you flopped a full boat, you can check but if the others check you should raise after the turn. One player calls - river comes and you bet(it depends on your position) or your opponent is in position and he or she bets -> why would she/he bet? You need to know that many players cold call with AK or AQ, AJ. Honestly, your opponent got very very lucky and in an other tounrey she/he will be punished.

Which hands to slow play?
Three of a kind, Straight, nut flush,etc,

One thing is very important! Always bet after the river if you have the best hand. If you slow played against a guy who were just bluffing and decided to give the continious bet, your strategy will be revealed and this is a very important information to your opponents.
Good Luck at the tables!
(written by JuniorMontana01)

Originally Posted by Yanman

The slowplay is a powerfull toll but it should not be used to often and all the correct conditions must be in place to do it.

With the exemple of the Q7 on a QQ7 flop with no raise pf, it's a good time to slowplay. At worst, somebody have 3 outs to beat you, eg: QT has 3 T to beat you. or they need runner-runner.

And even here, unless you went all in on the turn, you should not lose too much when you see the second ace on the river, you know that any ace beat you now, so you fold the river when there is a bet...

What you need to realize is a flop bet won't be called, so you gain nothing. But you can get 2 bets on the turn and river if only one ace come. Do some math on the long term and you'll see that everytime you get two value bets is much more profitable than the time you lose vs turn and river aces... It's not because it didn't work this time that it wasn't correct to do so...

The slowplay need to be done when you have all the good cards in your hand like the Q7 here. Also your image is important. If you raise pf and always make a C-bet, slowplaying isn't correct, you'll get more action by betting the flop because it's naturally what you would do even with twos cards that didn't connect than slowplaying...if you change the way you play, they will suspect your monster hand.

Another thing, having the nuts doens't translate into a slowplay.

If i raise OTB with KJo and get two calls. The flop is QhTs9h. I have the nut but you'll never see me slowplay the flop. On the contrary, i wil try to protect my hand the best i can. The flush draw is possible, two pairs can fill up to a boat and a J or a K can split or lose the pot for me... I do have the nut but it can be outdraw pretty easily so protect it.

Same situation but with QQ, get a Q72r flop, i will do my normal C-bet because it's fit my natural play on it doesn't give up the strenght of my hand.

Same situation again but with AA and the flop is AA7... I will slowplay for sure... they can't call on this flop no matter what they have except 77, so give them the chance to make 2nd hand here, this is your pot... happened only once for me, check the flop, turn Q, i called the bet and raised the river bet my opponent paid with KQ... i bet the flop hand he fold for sure...

The moral of the story? Only slow play when you KNOW you've got the nuts

Yanman, i read what you wrote, let me tell you about a hand i had...
AA in hole vs. 25 in hole. i'm raising the minimum, get called.
Flop is AA4. Now i have 4 of a kind, no one can beat me, right? wrong!
I'm betting the minimum, he raised me, i'm calling.
Turn is 8. I'm betting again X4 from the minimum, he calls.
River is 3. I'm betting again, he raised all in, i'm calling, and i lose 4 Aces to a straight flush.
Things like that are rare, i know. but i think slow play need to count the people you play against too, if you see them chasing after cards earlier, then you should play more agressivlly from the beggining of the betting, and not wait for your oponent to catch his cards.
by the way, my lost with this hand was on a freeroll on pokerstars.

I know what you mean,just when you think your setting someone up your the one getting it in return,lol..... Hate when that happens....

Haha .. Yea you HAVE to Slow-Play in a situation as you've mentioned.. The odds of that AJ comin are extremely low. So dont worry .. its the right strat. you've adopted. Cool ; hope you didnt lose too much tho tc . Cheers