We're going to be talking about multi-way pots in this pro tip. This information comes directly from the multi-way pots section of my new book, How to Beat Players Who Never Fold, by DB Publishing, available now on Amazon.
You can use a serious exploit in low to mid-stakes, which you can't use in high-stakes games or versus tougher regulars. The exploit comes up when you're playing against more basic players.
The vast majority of poker players you are up against are terrified of bluffing or raising middling hands. Thatās because they don't want to get blown off their pots and also don't want to feel stupid. So generally, what they do is fold their high cards, call with their pairs, call with their draws, and raise two pair or better.
So, what does that mean if you have a really boring reg, or a boring recreational player, in your game?
Listen to what they're telling you
Let's say the board comes , and youāre holding K-Q offsuit. You lead into that pot versus three or four other players. Then, the boring reg or recreational raises to 80% or 90% of the size of the pot. What to do?
You should seriously consider folding there, because most of those types of players just call with their draws. Most recs and regs would not raise with a hand like K-J. They have just politely told you they have two pair or a set. And when you make this thin exploitative fold, it's like just being gifted free money. Thatās money you wouldn't be able to hold on to if you were playing against a tougher player who would most likely raise with draws and bluffs.
This should be your approach against boring recreational players and people who are not creative. We may think they're creative because they play any two cards preflop, but really, what they're trying to do is hit two pair or better and then just value bet the hell out of it.
They don't have a great sense of the game, how to bluff, or whatnot. You would see a lot more bluffs in your games if they were capable of those moves/lines.
This tip is best utilized for low-stakes games online and low to mid-stakes live, especially in North America, where people are just not very creative.
This approach can change if we are battling opponents in different countries worldwide. When people are more willing to bluff (Eastern European cultures or Brazilians), you just have to pick the top of your range, close your eyes, call down, and hope for the best. But if you're just playing a USA-based basic postman or 9-5 corporate desk jockey who is 39 years-old from Cincinnati, he probably isn't finding those bluffs.
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