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Rivered Poker Article
Value Betting
If you want to maximize your profit then this aspect of the game is of vital importance. The concept of value Betting comes into play if you know you have a better hand than your opponent, and you need to evaluate how much your opponent is willing to call in order for you to get paid off.The main aspect of this concept is being able to put your opponents on hands and this does take a lot of practice, but it is definitely something that separates the winners from the losers. If for example:
You hold Ah Tc on the button. There have been two players that have called the big blind, and you make the call as well. The flop comes 4s, Td and Kh. All the players at the table check to you and you bet your middle pair. You bet $15 into a $25 pot and everyone folds except the player before you who then makes the call. The turn card is a 7c and your opponent checks and then so do you. The river card is 7d and your opponent checks again.
Now, at this point you need to evaluate what your opponent could have that made him call on the flop, but only check to the river from there on. The chances are not very likely that he has a K in his hand; otherwise he would have bet the river when you checked the turn. He could have a busted straight draw if he was holding QJ which at this point possesses no threat to you. Another possibility is that he could also have the T, but with a worse kicker, and because you were on the button he might have suspected that you were trying to steal the pot. Now, at this point you need to do is make a good value bet as you did show weakness on the turn, so he might very well call you with TJ or TQ, thus you need to make a bet that he will call.
A good amount is usually just under half the pot or maybe a little bit less. You need to remember that you are trying to maximize your win, so your value bet needs to be an amount that your opponent will feel he has to call.
Article written by Golden Riviera Poker - For Sophisticated Internet Multi-Player Poker.
