Multiway Pots

In small stakes games, it is not uncommon to face lots of players who think it is a good idea to limp in with a wide range of marginal hands. While this is almost certainly an indication that you are in a profitable game (because limping in is often the sign of a weak player), you must be careful to not fall into the trap of overvaluing your marginal made hands once numerous players see the flop.

For example, suppose you are playing a $1-$2 no-limit cash game with $200 effective stacks and a weak, straightforward player limps in from early position. Two other splashy players limp in from middle position. You are on the button with A J. You decide to raise to $13 (limping would also be an acceptable option). All of the limpers call $11 more. At this point, it is important to realize that the limpers could easily have a lot of marginal hands that have three outs against you. You could also occasionally be against a better hand that is being played in a passive manner, such as A-K or A-Q.

The flop comes A 10 5. Your opponents check to you. You decide to bet $27 into the $55 pot. The initial limper check-raises to $88. The other players fold. Should you call, reraise all in, or fold?

The first thing you need to do is assess your opponent’s likely check-raising range. Most weak, straightforward players would only check-raise with top pair with a strong kicker or better. Seeing how there are no reasonable draws, you should assume that your opponent has mostly made hands that he thinks are strong. This is most likely A-Q or better, including all two pairs and sets. Against that range, you are crushed, meaning you should easily fold.

Most amateur players run into the problem where they call $61 more, effectively lighting money on fire. They do not recognize that while they flopped a strong hand, their opponent’s range almost certainly has them crushed.

You may be asking yourself “Why should you continuation bet on the flop if you plan to fold when someone check-raises?” The reason is because when someone only calls your continuation bet, which will often be the case, you will be against a range consisting of almost entirely marginal made hands that are drawing thin. By betting with the intention of folding to a check-raise, you get value when you are ahead and lose only a little when you are behind. Of course, do not let your opponents know that you plan to fold most of your range to a check-raise!

From time to time, you will be against a player who will check-raise the flop with a much wider range of marginal made hands, perhaps J-10 or better. Against these players, it is usually smart to call the flop check-raise with the intention of calling any additional bets. If your opponent is wild, you must adjust your strategy to take advantage of his tendencies.

It is important to realize that when numerous players see a flop, it is not uncommon for someone to flop a premium hand. If it isn’t you, don’t be afraid to get out of the way, even if you flop a reasonably strong hand. ♠

Jonathan Little is a two-time WPT champion with more than $6 million in tournament winnings. Each week, he posts an educational blog and podcast at JonathanLittlePoker.com, where you can get a FREE poker training video that details five things you must master if you want to win at tournament poker.