Texas Hold 'Em - Defending Your Big Blind
Playing hands from the big blind in a Texas Hold'em poker game can be very tricky. On one hand, you are in bad position because you will have to act early in all future betting rounds. However, on the other hand, you've already invested money in the pot. Read on for tips on playing Texas Hold'em from the big blind.
Let's take a $10/$20 limit Texas Hold'em game for example. In the large blind, you are holding 7-8 offsuit and a player in middle position raises the pot. The small blind folds, leaving just you and the original raiser in the pot. Now, 7-8 unsuited I snot a strong hand but should you call if you've already invested your blind? Check the math.
Your opponent has put $20 in to the pot and there's already $5 from the small blind in addition to the original $10 you put in as the large blind. There is now a total of $35 in the middle and it only costs you $10 to call, meaning you are now getting 3.5 to 1 odds on your money and you only have one player to beat.
Although 7-8 offsuit isn't going to be a favorite over most of the hands your opponent raised with, the fact that you are getting 3.5 to 1 odds on your money still makes it a good spot to call in. Even if your opponent raised with A-K, you still have a 38% chance to win. You should make the call.
Follow the advice above and start defending your big blind!
Playing hands from the big blind in a Texas Hold'em poker game can be very tricky. On one hand, you are in bad position because you will have to act early in all future betting rounds. However, on the other hand, you've already invested money in the pot. Read on for tips on playing Texas Hold'em from the big blind.
Let's take a $10/$20 limit Texas Hold'em game for example. In the large blind, you are holding 7-8 offsuit and a player in middle position raises the pot. The small blind folds, leaving just you and the original raiser in the pot. Now, 7-8 unsuited I snot a strong hand but should you call if you've already invested your blind? Check the math.
Your opponent has put $20 in to the pot and there's already $5 from the small blind in addition to the original $10 you put in as the large blind. There is now a total of $35 in the middle and it only costs you $10 to call, meaning you are now getting 3.5 to 1 odds on your money and you only have one player to beat.
Although 7-8 offsuit isn't going to be a favorite over most of the hands your opponent raised with, the fact that you are getting 3.5 to 1 odds on your money still makes it a good spot to call in. Even if your opponent raised with A-K, you still have a 38% chance to win. You should make the call.
Follow the advice above and start defending your big blind!
