Finding the Balance

[storm75m]

Drop the Hammer or Set Traps?

Do you suffer from FPS (Fancy Play Syndrome)? I know I do. Small example: You're on the button with AA, everyone folds to you, do you raise 4XBB and take the blinds, smooth call, or throw out a min-raise? The whole reason we're playing this game is to make the most money, correct? Then what play will make the most money? We all know the answer... it depends.

Lately I've been having some trouble when forced with the decision to "drop the fucking hammer" or to "suck every available penny" out of a situation. A few different things come into consideration when you know (for the most part) that you have the best hand:

-Your opponents skill level. Better players can read you much better, and are paying attention to your betting habits. If they saw you slowplay your set earlier, then they will be wary when you're calling them down. This can work to your advantage as well, by mixing up what you do to keep them guessing. Against a better opponent, if you're trying to maximize your profits, you should be unpredictable with your made hands. (Also keep in mind that a good opponent usually will not put money into a pot that they don't think they can win, so whether you min-bet or drop the hammer won't make a difference.)

-Your opponents tendencies. This is different from their skill level. Will they automatically bet if you check to them? Are they passive or aggressive? How much of a bet will make them fold, and how much will they call? Do they bluff? These factors are much more important, and of course will take time to get a read on. With that said, as a side note: Play hands straight up if you have no reads, and save your tricks for later.

-Texture of the board. Plain and simple, unless you flopped the nuts, if there are any straight or flush draws on the board, just drop the hammer to be safe. While I'm on the subject, don't fear the flush or the straight right off the bat. If three hearts come on the flop and you hit two pair, bet it hard. Usually only the nut flush (or near the nuts) will stay with you, in which case you know what to do.

-Position. Don't you just hate when you flopped a set with three players, in the SB, you check, and everyone else checks behind? You feel like you've lost money, cause you could've bet and maybe get a caller or two. And don't you just love it when you've flopped a set (in CO or Button), and the two players in front of you get into a raising war? The position advantage is obvious. However some traps can better be set from early position than late position, like pretending to be on a draw when you've already hit. Making a draw type of bet before others can act may lure someone into coming over the top of you. Same thing with making a weak continuation bet.

-Opponent stack size. If it's only two of you on the flop, .25/.50 blinds, you have $35 and he has $4, dropping the hammer wouldn't earn you any more money here. Make bets relative to your opponents stack when heads up. Min-bet his ass to death.

This post wasn't originally intended to be informative, but more inquisitive... What is the correct balance between the two? Of course the safest bet is to drop the hammer and make it costly for anyone else to draw out on you, but aren't you losing out on potential money? Not too long ago, I flopped a royal flush for the first time against four other players, and didn't know what the hell to do. I just froze up, check/called to the river where I blasted all-in, and everyone folded. Only made $6 ($25NL) and it made me wonder what the best way was to get the most money. Is FPS +EV or -EV in the long run? Will the times you get burned by slowplaying equal out to the times your tricky play pays off? Or will dropping the fucking hammer make you the most money every time, because you are almost garuanteed to win the pot right there? I guess I already know the answer (it depends...) but I just wanted to open it up for discussion.

It may be interesting to post some of the usual tricks you use as well...
For one, I love to use long pauses to my advantage. A very hesitant call with a check on the next street just screams weakness...

[jmontis]

first of all, checking a set is the wrong way to play it most of the time.

your table image also has a lot to do with how much action you get, unless you happen to be in a very good game.

If you're playing stakes <= 25NL , straight forward play is probably best, but you have to mix things up any higher.

[storm75m]

first of all, checking a set is the wrong way to play it most of the time.

your table image also has a lot to do with how much action you get, unless you happen to be in a very good game.

If you're playing stakes <= 25NL , straight forward play is probably best, but you have to mix things up any higher.

Good one on table image, forgot to mention that.

About sets, why is checking the set wrong most of the time? Usually a set is so well hidden, it seems like the perfect time to trap. (Only with un-coordinated board of course)

[studboyjoe]

I tend to weak bet sets on the flop if I am at an aggressive table, and check at tight tables. Nothing better than a laughably small bet at an aggressive table to bring out the shark in a player.

[Element187]

FPS .. i used to suffer from it when i played NL ... after playing limit, it was a wake up call ... i recommend playing limit for a month, then see if you still have FPS.

[Lucid]

first of all, checking a set is the wrong way to play it most of the time.

your table image also has a lot to do with how much action you get, unless you happen to be in a very good game.

If you're playing stakes <= 25NL , straight forward play is probably best, but you have to mix things up any higher.

Good one on table image, forgot to mention that.

About sets, why is checking the set wrong most of the time? Usually a set is so well hidden, it seems like the perfect time to trap. (Only with un-coordinated board of course)

Weak betting a set is usually better than check-raising. This is because the only people that are going to pay you off with a set are two pair and top pair, usually top pair/overpair. These people know what it means when somebody that has called preflop and then check-raised means. You won't get much more money out of them. If you weak bet then reraise or go all-in after you are reraised then you are much more likely to be called after the weak bet. Also, every thing you put in the pot when you have the best hand adds value and discourages draws. Don't let somebody catch a gutshot or runner runner for free. By weak betting you are at least making it less profitable to draw. People that will pay you off will likely reraise you anyway.

[ekillian]

If I'm playing to clear bonuses definitely drop the hammer unless I flop a fullhouse or better. If I'm just playing to play I switch between the two depending on a number of things.