One of the most important aspects of poker is knowing how and when to bet. When looking to improve your Texas Hold’em play, consider some of the following scenarios:
Stealing the Blind – When you hold the dealer chip, and all other players have folded except you and the two blinds, raising a bet is called ‘blind-stealing’. This is because the blinds will likely fold on a dealer’s raise; if you had simply called, the blinds would most likely check. It is an excellent trick to end a poker hand quickly.
The Steal-Raise – If you are the last to bet and everyone has checked, throwing in a bet to knock out other players is called a ‘steal-raise’. Use it sparingly, especially if you are playing against experienced players, as good poker players will quickly figure you out and will start to check-raise against you.
The Check-Raise – When you check an opponent with the intention of tempting him to bet, and then raise him on the next go-round it is called a ‘check-raise’. The purpose is to lull opponents into a false sense of confidence so you can catch them off-guard, knocking them out and increasing the pot.
The Opener – If you are first to bet after the blinds and raise, you have done the ‘opener’. This is a reckless tactic that certainly entices many players to fold, but ensures that the ones left will play more aggressively. The move is best suited for small games or for instances when there are few players left at the table.