In poker, you place bets due to one of two reasons:
1)you feel you have the best hand and you want to increase the size of the pot or
2)you feel your opponent has a weak hand and they will fold if you bet.
Make sense?
Sure, you can add variations to the above but that's really what it comes down to. In order to maximize your winnings it's not how many pots you win but how big the pots are when you win them. To ensure that you are getting the most money every time you bet follow these 5 ½ simple betting strategies:
Stealing Blinds
When you're sitting in prime position, aka the Dealer button, and everyone folds to you and you raise the big blind this is called "blind stealing". The reason its called "stealing" is because most of the time the blinds will fold to a raise. As long as it is a larger enough raise. Even if one of them calls it can still be a good bet because now the pot is bigger and you're in a position of strength. You can now represent the flop much easier. Making it more likely that you can still win the pot with an inferior hand.
Steal-Raise
When you're last to act and everyone checks to you its wise to place a bet to accomplish one of two things. First you want to limit the number of people hoping to see a cheap flop. Second, in some cases you'll be able to get everyone to fold and you have in essence stolen the pot by placing a "steal-raise" bet.
You'll see this happen often. However, do not use it too much because you'll be an easy read for your opponents. This strategy is really effective when you have a strong drawing hand like a nut-flush draw. Most people will "check to the raiser" so when you do hit your flush you'll have a much larger pot to claim.
Check-Raise
Check raising is simply checking to your opponent with the hopes that they place a bet and then you can come over top of them with a larger bet. This is a common practice for people that like to slow play. It is also something a lot of players hate to have happen to them. That's a good thing. Because if you have a strong hand and you Check-Raise and they get upset they are no longer thinking clearly and now you have the advantage.
However, this is also a strategy that you don't want to use too much. The reason being is because you'll be giving your opponents a lot of information they can use against you later in the game.
Opener
Some people feel the "opener" is a reckless move because most people that do it are bluffing and therefore easy to read. The "opener" happens when the first person to act raises the big blind. Most of the time this type of bet is placed because you want to eliminate all the chasers and people hoping to see a cheap flop. Sometime it even works as a backwards steal-raise because you may get everyone to fold and you can steal the blinds so-to-speak.
One note of caution however. If and when people do call your "opener" raise you can put them on a strong hand. Or at least you'll know that they are an aggressive player and you need to proceed with caution.
Feeler
The feeler bet is similar to the opener. But it can happen even after the flop. When the hand is moving slowly and everyone is simply checking it may be wise to place a "feeler" bet to see what happens. You do this to "get a feel" of the strength of your opponent(s) hands. A lot of the time most of your opponents will fold. Other times someone will come over the top of you. Either way at least now you have some information on your opponents that you can use to beat them.
Squeezing
A "Squeezing" bet is used to limit your opponents pot odds in a short-handed game. You use this bet when you have a strong hand and you've put your opponent on some kind of draw. The odds are they will not hit their draw so you place a bet and make them pay to chase after their draw. This way you'll be able to increase the size of the pot or they will fold to you as they do not want to risk chasing the draw.
All-in-all, to maximize your winnings and make you a better poker player you need to use all of these betting strategies. And you need to use them at various times and really mix up your play to keep your opponents guessing. You never want to get into a rut and allow them to get a read on you and your play. When you can maintain the advantage over your opponents that's when you'll start to make big bucks.
Related Articles
Insider Poker Secrets: How to Avoid Bad Beats and Going On Tilt
By: Drew Laughlin | 08/09/2006 | Online Gambling
For most poker players going on tilt is inevitable. However, how you control your emotions and understanding what going on tilt really means; and most importantly how to avoid it in the future is cruitial. If you find yourself on tilt a little too often then read this article.
To be able to consistently steal blinds from your poker opponents you must master these five insider poker secrets.
No Limit Texas Holdem Starting Hands
By: IC | 12/12/2007 | Art and Entertainment
Texas Hold'em or "Holdem" is a popular variation of the already famous game of Poker, learn the differences between conventional poker and Texas "no-limit" Holdem in this article.
Where to Play Slots
By: Michal Kadra | 16/01/2008 | Online Gambling
Slot machines tops the chart among casino games in every casino all around the world and the fascination for this game has made it popular in online casinos as well. In fact, the slot machine has now emerged as a new way to play the chances or odds.
Learning How to Play Poker
By: Twogun | 11/09/2007 | Card Games
Many people are interested in learning how to play poker well. Here is how to go about the learning process.
Bankroll Management When Playing Texas Holdem Poker: How Much Do I Need?
By: Drew Laughlin | 06/09/2006 | Online Gambling
Because most of us simply do not have unlimited fund for play, and possibly lose, at the Holdem tables or any other gaming table, we must practice bankroll management. You probably have numerous questions about bankroll management in Holdem poker such as how much you should have in order to begin playing, strategies to determine your bankroll and the games you should place, how to use poker room bonus programs to build your bankroll and how to play in limit versus no limit games.
5 Insider Poker Secrets to Stealing Blinds Before the Flop
By: Drew Laughlin | 08/09/2006 | Online Gambling
Successfully stealing blinds in Texas Holdem poker is a secret weapon of many poker pros. However, like anything else this is a learned skill and one that takes as much know-how as it does experience.
To be able to consistently steal blinds from your poker opponents you must master these five insider poker secrets.
How Casinos Win your Money
By: Chris Waseman | 15/12/2007 | Online Gambling
Most casino games are games of chance where the draw results are simply a probability value among all the possibility. Theoretically, the casino and the players should have the equal chances of winning; but, are you aware that casinos are making most of money from their players and majority of gamblers are losers? What actually make casinos the long term winners and consistently earn the money from their players?
Poker Bluffing - Ten Winning Tips
By: Stephen Todd | 19/11/2005 | Online Gambling
Bluffing is the art of making other players believe you have a better hand than you really have. If used correctly bluffing can help you enhance your profits from poker and win big. Here are ten tips to help you bluff successfully.
Got a Question? Ask.
Ask the community a question about this article:
Q&A Powered by:
Latest Online Gambling Articles
Console Di Gioco, Metti Alla Prova La Tua Intelligenza E Destrezza
By: Michele De Capitani | 05/09/2008
La tecnologia, le invenzioni e tutta l’innovazione del nostro tempo, hanno effettivamente contribuito a migliorare le nostre capacità ed il nostro intelletto.
Extra Income with Poker Affiliate Programs
By: Anand Maheshwari | 05/09/2008
Numerous online industries are willing to pay handsomely for new customers simply because there is so much to be made in return. There is seemingly no end to the potential opportunities for regular people to earn money on the Internet. In exchange for advertising on your site leading to sales or new customers, companies are willing to pay you for the privilege.
Getting Started With Online Bingo Has Never Been Easier
By: Dan Kelly | 04/09/2008
A list of frequently asked questions for new online Bingo players
Understanding Online Bingo Jackpots
By: Dan Kelly | 04/09/2008
A brief introduction to the different types of online Bingo jackpots
Online Casino Roulette
By: Albert Becon | 04/09/2008
Roulette is a user-friendly and popular game found in the offline as well as online casinos. It is noticed that the novice players are more comfortable with Roulette than any other game. Online casino Roulette is considered one of the easiest games played by the gamers.
Roulette Sniper 2.0 is Casinos Worst Nightmare and My Joy!
By: Valeri Tkatchenko | 04/09/2008
Roulette Sniper 2.0 is sensational little piece of software that you have to see it in action to believe the miracles it can make! This software shows you exactly where to place the bet on online roulette and how much to make sure you always will win! This is perfect to go along with my roulette system if you don't like crunching numbers... Roulette Sniper Will Do It For You! Lazy Man's Way To Riches From Online Casinos...
Online Roulette System That Makes Me $200-300 Several Times a Week
By: Valeri Tkatchenko | 04/09/2008
This online system is simply amazing and works purely on mathematics and set up to increase your odds of winning on online roulette By 75-90% ! This system increases the odds dramatically in your favor betting on 1st 12,2nd 12,and 3rd 12 with payouts of 2 dollars for every dollar you bet!
Works Like Clockwork and makes me my weekly income! Enjoy
Understanding The Features Of An Online Bingo Site
By: Dan Kelly | 02/09/2008
Whenever you go online and search the internet you will see a number of different types of websites. For most people, we can generally look at the layout of the website, play around a little, and eventually figure out how to use the features of said website. This article will steer you through the basic features.
More from Drew Laughlin
Postcard Marketing – the Absolute Easiest Way to Increase your Sales Quickly
By: Drew Laughlin | 10/08/2007 | Business
Postcard marketing is one of my favorite things to do to generate quick interest. Postcards work so well with prospects because the readership is so high. Almost everybody reads a postcard that’s delivered to them. If you can make a postcard valuable and easy-to-read, allowing the reader to take easy action, postcards are extremely effective.
Back Acne - What Causes Back Acne and How to Get Rid of it
By: Drew Laughlin | 06/03/2007 | Health
At some point in life, almost everyone experiences acne. For some, acne is nothing more than an annoying and sometimes embarrassing rite of passage that occurs during adolescence, when hormone levels surge. Others unfortunately suffer extreme bouts of acne. Either situation can however, result in mild or severe acne scarring.
5 Reason Why you Must Always Raise the Pot When You’re First in
By: Drew Laughlin | 14/12/2006 | Online Gambling
To win consistently at Texas Holdem Poker or any poker for that matter it is very important to raise the pot when you’re first in.
I’m not a big fan of constantly limping in, calling the big blind, when I’m the first player to put chips into the pot before or after the flop.
Texas Holdem Pot Odds - What They are and How to Use Them to Win Big Money
By: Drew Laughlin | 14/12/2006 | Online Gambling
Recently, I received a question from one of my students. It stated, "What exactly is pot odds and is Texas Holdem pot odds strategy worth pursuing?"
One thing to remember, any kind of Texas Holdem odds can and usually do get very confusing. However, let me break pot odds down in very simple terms. Please note that we are only discussing Pot Odds. Not outs, implied odds, simple odds or anything else like that.
How to Beat the Poker Fish and Call Machine
By: Drew Laughlin | 13/10/2006 | Online Gambling
You can win many rounds of poker if you simply observe other players and their body language. You must carefully observe each move to determine if the player is a professional or a novice.
A poker fish is usually a beginner who is highly enthusiastic and will bet even with average cards. You will find the poker fish at the lower limit poker games though they may occasionally play at the higher limit tables.
Fatal Sales Mistake Number 2: Stop Winging It!
By: Drew Laughlin | 22/09/2006 | Business
Fatal Mistake No. 2 is "Winging It." When presenting to a prospect, how many times have you not really known much about his business or not really known what you're going to say or what road you're going to take the prospect down? This is a huge error salespeople make far too often.
I know because I've been there.
Insider Poker Secrets: How to Avoid Bad Beats and Going On Tilt
By: Drew Laughlin | 08/09/2006 | Online Gambling
For most poker players going on tilt is inevitable. However, how you control your emotions and understanding what going on tilt really means; and most importantly how to avoid it in the future is cruitial. If you find yourself on tilt a little too often then read this article.
To be able to consistently steal blinds from your poker opponents you must master these five insider poker secrets.
5 Insider Poker Secrets to Stealing Blinds Before the Flop
By: Drew Laughlin | 08/09/2006 | Online Gambling
Successfully stealing blinds in Texas Holdem poker is a secret weapon of many poker pros. However, like anything else this is a learned skill and one that takes as much know-how as it does experience.
To be able to consistently steal blinds from your poker opponents you must master these five insider poker secrets.
Art and Entertainment 
