wrong post on wrong blog no i dont think so

Hi paul,




How many times have you been trapped by a more experienced or tricky player? We all fall into these traps from time to time... but why? How can we detect a trap and avoid it?



First, what is a trap? A trap play is where an opponent with a strong hand represents weakness, luring their opponent into overplaying their hand. For example, I hit a nut flush (Ace-high flush) on the flop. I have the best hand at the table now, unless the board pairs (such that someone could pull a boat or four of a kind - not likely).



So, instead of betting it big, I might throw out a smaller bet or even check it (slowplay). Another player holding big slick (A-K) pairs up with an Ace on the flop, thinking he's got the best hand so far. Another player has a small pair (e.g., 4's) and picks up a set on the flop (assuming flop was something like 4-A-J).



Now, had I bet really big or raised back too early, the player holding the Ace would realize he's trouble and the

small pair would've likely folded pre-flop. Since

I just checked it down, no reason to be afraid of me, since I'm obviously on some kind of a draw...



The person with the three of a kind (the 4's) tosses out a bet of 4 times the blind. The guy with Aces calls it. After delaying slightly, I go ahead and also call it (why not, I'm getting decent enough pot odds).



So, I'm trapping them both at this point, letting them bet into me and just calling their bets. The same thing happens again on the turn, except the player with Aces drops out.



Now it's just me and the set of 4's. They bet big again, this time the size of the pot. Again, after a slight pause, I just call them "reluctantly". Then comes the river, and they go all-in.



I immediately call them...oops! They're sunk! What happened here?



These players never asked themselves two simple questions:



1) Why is he calling that raised pot (on the flop and turn)?



2) What hands might he be holding? What could he be up to by calling my bets like that? Trapping? On a draw?



There's a potential flush showing on the flop, and since I'm kind of "lurking" in this hand, it's very suspicious behavior, and unlikely I'm on a draw with those kind of bets to call.



Unless you're playing against a beginner or a drunk, there's no reason to believe someone will likely call a raise that's 4 times the big blind on a draw. That's the first mistake - assuming another player has no hand and not realizing why they're behaving as they are.



Second, the board is showing a possible flush - and both of these players aren't holding it! Just because I didn't bet on the flop does not mean I don't have it!



Had either of these players slowed down and considered my betting (calling) behavior, and asked themselves these questions, they'd probably have realized what was going on.



Was there any other explanation?



Traps aren't easy to detect. When a good player calls a big bet, there's a better than average chance they are trapping!



Good players don't usually call bets - they usually raise/re-raise with strength or fold. They don't often waste their money on draws, so if they're lurking there with you it isn't out of curiosity...



Nevertheless, if you aren't spending twice as much time thinking about what your opponent's hand might be, based upon their betting (calling) pattern and position, you should be.



Your own hand strength is quick and easily determined. Spend more time on the opponents, learning to read their normal betting patterns, then when they do something that doesn't match that pattern, slow down and ask yourself why.



I hope this helps you become a better trapper (and avoid falling in yourself :)

wrong post on wrong blog  no i dont think so


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