Bet sizing – How much to bet and why?

Strategy: S’n’G / Tournaments

Introduction

► Bet sizing = The size of the bet

► What are you trying to accomplish with your bet?

► Determining factors:▫ The board▫ The Size of the pot▫ Stack sizes▫ Number of opponents▫ History of the hand▫ Images

Factors that influence a bet

► The community cards▫ How strong is my hand?▫ What hands does the board

improve?

► The size of the pot▫ The bet‘s size relative to the

pot▫ Pot-size = the whole pot▫ ½ Pot-size = half the pot

► The size of the stacks▫ Watching the stack sizes in relation to

the pot▫ When are you pot-commited?

Factors that influence a bet

► The number of opponents▫ Does the hand need protection?▫ Does a continuation bet make

any sense?

► History of the hand▫ Has the oppoent shown

strength/weakness?

► Images▫ How aggressive have you been?▫ What kind opponent are you

facing?

What are you trying to accomplish with your bet?

► Continuation betting

► Maximizing value

► Where do you stand?

► Block betting

► Protecting your hand

Maximing Value

► Maximizing value = winning the most possible chips.▫ Watching the stack sizes in relation to the pot▫ Big bets easily scare▫ Checking shows weakness

► Influence of the other factors▫ Possibility for draws▫ Your image▫ The opponent‘s playin style

► Flop (Pot 285)▫ Villian checks▫ Hero bets 150▫ Villian folds

Continuation betting

► Continuation betting - Betting on the flop without a strong hand▫ Taking advantage of your pre-flop aggression▫ Ususally 1/2 to 2/3 pot-size

► Influence of the other factors▫ Paying attention to the community

cards▫ The opponent‘s playing-style▫ Stack sizes

► Flop (Pot 170)▫ Villian checks▫ Hero bets 120▫ Villian calls 120

► Turn (Pot 410)▫ Villian checks▫ Hero checks

► River (Pot 410)▫ Villian checks▫ Hero checks

Finding out where you stand

► Finding out where you stand▫ Partially hit the flop▫ Betting to extract information from the

opponent

► Influence of the other factors▫ Number of opponents / Possibilities for draws▫ The opponent‘s playing-style▫ Stack sizes

► Flop (Pot 325)▫ Villian checks▫ Hero bets 200▫ Villian folds

Block betting

► Block betting = keeping the opponent in check▫ Seeing the next card / the show down for as little

as possible▫ Playing a draw favourably

Protecting

► Protecting your hand▫ Protecting your (strong) hands against draws▫ Forcing the opponent to make mathematical

mistakes

► Flop (Pot 290)▫ Villian checks▫ Hero bets 160▫ Villian calls 160

► Turn (Pot 610)▫ Villian checks▫ Hero bets 520▫ Villian calls 520

► River (Pot 1650)▫ Villian checks▫ Hero checks

Good luck!

Summary

► Dependant on different factors▫ Community cards▫ Size of the pot▫ Stack sizes▫ Number of opponents▫ History of the hand▫ Images

► The goal of the bet is crucial