PokerWorks

One of the most disappointing situations in hold 'em occurs when an Ace flips on the river and your opponent turns over A-x off suit to beat your K-K or top pair. Every poker player has a bad beat story about it. It hurts when it happens but at least it indicates you are in a good game.

Let's look at the problems your opponent had to overcome to win the pot. To win he needs an Ace - 29% to win, or two sixes - 2% to win, (4 to a flush or 4 to a straight but those odds are very small.) and he must avoid a third King which occurs about 20% of the time, for a total of only 25% wins. If you bet appropriately, he is accepting 1:1 pot odds for a 3:1 draw. I'll send this guy an invitation to our game any day.

If you have an Ace with a better kicker, he is in worse shape. His dominated hand has only three outs to win. Now he is only 28% to make a better hand and still needs to dodge your kicker which will hit 23% of the time. He wins only 22% of the time or 4:1 against. Shucks where does this guy play. I'll visit.

Actually I don't have to visit. I've found that many of the online poker sites are teeming with these fish. At the lower levels, you find these players all the time, Ultimate Bet comes to mind for Americans, but Party Poker and Virgin Poker probably have the highest number of these Fish & Chips, (Fish with Chips) at the higher limits, and provide an excellent profit opportunity for the skilled player.

The beats these guys put on us may be disappointing, and it does hurt the bankroll but you should remember that for every one he wins, he loses three or four. Keep a stiff upper lip and put that bet in the pot. Make him pay for the privilege of beating you.