What is a Value Bet?

[bjj_jay]

Thanks!

[a500lbgorilla]

When you know you have the best hand, its the largest bet that you can make that you believe your opponent will call.

-'rilla

[elanto]

yeah what rilla said. For example you have rockets and you are in the button, the field just limps in to you, now you have to make a good enough raise to scare some peopl (never slow play rockets) but the raise cant b to big to scare evryone of. If a 6BB will get one caller but a 7BB will fold everyone then the 6BB is the best bet you can make.... ie the best value bet


-anto

[zilch]

In Limit it's slightly different than what the others have just said. A value bet is also used when you have a hand that will win more often than not.e.g. if you hold AK preflop you raise the pot because you know that you will have the best hand more often than not. This is important in limit where you can't catch up missed bets if you hit the flop big.

[Fnord]

A bet that has a positive expectation if called. No need to consider fold equity as you often want them calling when you value bet.

[Invizard]

A valuable bet, in your favor

[koolmoe]

I like Fnord's definition.

You hear the term "value bet" often in context of river play in limit holdem. What is confusing to many people is that what constitutes a value bet depends on your opponent. For example, if I hold second pair, bottom kicker on the river, whether or not a bet into my opponent is a value bet depends on whether your opponent will ever call a bet on the river with less than middle pair. If he won't, my bet is not a value bet, it's essentially a bluff. If he will call with any pair or A high, then it is a value bet.