Handling Tricky Players

Hello,

I’ve been playing at NL 1/2 level of 6 person per table for months now. I believe I played well in most of my games, and also was able to build my bankroll for the next level. However, there are some things that I’m really bothered of. Hope you can help me.

Well, I usually play tightly but I’m not into bluffing that much. I typically win because of tight and crazy players at the table. But against tricky players I usually do not win. I guess the problem is on how I re-raise. In fact, in one of my unforgettable situations at the table, I’m not sure if I re-raised just right in time. I was in the first position then and I placed a bet on the flop top pair. Eventually the second player raised me 3 times. At that instance, I was not sure if I would re-raise or what.

In your opinion, if you know that your opponent is a tricky player, able to raise with a draw should you re-raise or what?

And by the way, how many times do you think should I re-raise? Well, I’m not sure about when should I re-raise or how often should I make some. I believe that the pot builds up very quickly, and just with one mistake, you will lose all your buy-in, your bankroll.

By the way, how about doing the check-call the flop and then check-raise the turn? Any idea?

Thank you in advance.

Hayden Alexander

Hayden,

The problem with a tricky player is that when they reraise, you are not sure if they are on a draw or if they have you beat. That is part of their style. With tricky players, the best way to play them is to push your advantages against them. If you flop a pair and you think that they are on a draw, make them pay for their draw. Whether or not your re-raise will depend on where you think you are at in the hand. If you think you are ahead, or know it, then reraise.

Check-calling the flop is good if you are slow playing a big hand, but you usually want to be the aggressor. Check-raising the turn is a standard move if you are ahead. Be careful for using aggression just for the sake of aggression. Sometimes it works, but a tricky player usually has enough experience to sniff out a move.

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Tags: bankroll, bluffing, buy-in, check-call, check-calling, check-raise, check-raising, draw, flop, NL 1/2 level, raise, re-raise, turn