"Value" bets

This term is used a great deal, but I'm not always sure what this means.

Let's take an example. Assume everyone with 100bb stacks. Assume that you're a TAGGish player (or at least have TAGGish image) UTG with :As::Kd:. You raise 4bb. A loose, passive, callstation/ATM donktard in MP calls you. BN, a good, solid player who you know will play draws in position calls as well. The blinds leave their offerings to the poker gods.

So it's three handed... the virtual dealer taps the table, burns a virtual card (at least, you think so) and lays the following magic plop:



- do we bet this one for "value" (say, 1/2 pot) hoping for callers
- or pot it?

Now, what if in the same situation we plop:


What do we bet for here (I am assuming that we bet here!)

-"Value"?
-Price draws out?
-overbet the pot?

Do we pot it, knowing that if donktard calls BN is getting 3:1 on his probable draw (plus possible implied odds, either from you or donktard)? Check it, giving a free card to a possible strong draw? Bet less, giving proper odds?


Maybe I'm on the wrong track here, but it seems like "betting for value" is a phrase that's used too often (and in many cases meaning seems ambiguous).

I think value bets generally apply to later situations postflop, like turn and esp river, whcn u feel that villain has a decent showdown hand and will call a substantial, but not too large bet thinking his hand might be good a certain % of the time (like if u hit an inside str8 or open ended str8 on river).

Another time u might value bet is if u think that villain has tp and you have him outkicked. You know the strength of his hand is marginal so u bet a decent amoutn to get him to make a crying call, because even tho he has a feeling he may be beat he is getting too good a price to lay it down.

As for the situations above, in first hadn i bet aroudn 2/3psb, second i make it closer to 3/4 or 4/5psb. However, i will bet these flops pretty much everytime i raise and it is hu, so take my advice fwiw.

Don't value bet these boards until turn. Big bet on flop, small ones on later streets. Ax will call any flop bet. And you've now beaten the drawing hands, so long as you don't pay them off when they hit.