Limit Holdem strategy

Contributed by: Chris Gabriel
Updated: Feb 23, 2006
Views: 6658

One of the most difficult skills to develop in limit Holdem is knowing when to make a bold move. I define a "bold move" as a decision that might appear reckless at first glance - but which, in fact, has a certain degree of positive expectation; that is, it expects to make money in the long run.

There's a right way and a wrong way to make a bold move in a poker game. Hyper-aggressive players tend to make bold moves without either fear or thought. They usually get called down by observant opponents, and lose far more money than necessary. But calculated aggression put to use in optimal circumstances - when combined with a strong table image - often puts opponents on the defensive. This is even more so when opponents understand conventional strategic concepts, and are disciplined enough to release hands of marginal value. A bold poker move may cause an opponent to fold a stronger hand, which means you win an extra pot that you certainly would not have won otherwise.

The boldest move you can make in limit Holdem is the check-raise bluff (and its affiliate - the check-raise semi-bluff). Many winning poker players use this tactic. There is one major reason why this play is so powerful. Usually when a player checks and calls on the flop, and then check-raises the turn, normally you should suspect a big hand. This doesn't mean it always works, only that the tactic may account for more wins than losses (dollar wise), when applied in the right situations. Even if unsuccessful, the check-raise bluff does have some commensurate benefits as well, since it contributes to an unpredictable table image and may increase the number of calls you get when you hold

‘the goods’.

Oddly enough, up until now the check-raise bluff has not been widely discussed in print. Mostly because this move is very dangerous, and can cost you a great deal of money if used too often or in the wrong situations. It's well known to high-limit players and serious middle-limit players, but is rarely utilized by novices or in low-limit games (with very good reason). This means the majority of poker players have no use for check-raise bluffing, rendering this tactic useless - except in the most competitive games.

The first requisite of check-raise bluffing is that it must only be used in games where the stakes are consequential. In low-limit games, check-raise bluffing (and check raise semi-bluffing, to a lesser extent) have almost no utilitarian value. Since opponents in "no-Fold’em Holdem" games usually call bets on every round, no matter what the conditions - the primary strength of the tactic (getting opponents to fold) is pointless. Similarly, check-raise bluffing has almost no value in games such as Omaha high/low. Most players will pursue draws and stay with the hand no matter what the cost - a $4 raise does not intimidate them. Based on my experience, check-raise bluffing should rarely be deployed in games lower than $10-20.

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The second requisite is that it must be used against a player that has some knowledge of how to play poker. This means that they must be able to look beyond their own hand, and try to figure you what you have. It doesn’t do you any good to try this move on a player that is only playing his hand. If they don’t know that they are supposed to fold, they won’t, and you’ve wasted your energy and chips.

When applied properly, check-raise bluffing is a devastating counter-strategy to the standard concept of "tight but aggressive" Holdem play recommended by all respected poker theorists. It's an even better counter-strategy if the players you are up against are semi-decent players, but tend to overvalue large unsuited cards. This is a common error that many players make, even ones that have some experience. For example, if players are calling or raising with hands such as K-Q, small pairs, or weak aces (quite common in most $15-30 and $20-40 games, based on my observation), they will be hard-pressed to call a check-raise, even when they might hold a pair. Most decent players are reluctant to toss in an extra $30 or $40 on a weak hand with the hope they might catch a miracle river card. Sure, it happens (especially in a rammin’-jammin’ game), but most players that play at this level do respect raises - or else they go broke and are back to the grind of low limit.

Limit Holdem strategy

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Limit Holdem strategy