I’m frequently astounded by how quality poker players, even free poker online players are able to stick opponents on hands with such regularity and almost uncanny accuracy. We all do this to some extent but even the good players can over use this tactic on occasion especially in poker tournaments and you can lose chips as a result. It is a particular danger if you are playing when tired. Here is a good example of one players tiredness induced error, I hope it will help you avoid making such a costly mistake in your games be they high stakes or simply free poker fun chip games.
BLINDS 3k/6k
PREFLOP:
A has Kd-Kc, raises to 16k
B has Ad-9d, is on BB, calls10k (Pot 44k)
A’s standard raise (about 2.5x the big blind) raise is supposed to hide the particular strength of his hand. B’s call is discounted, so he makes it.
FLOP: 9c-5h-Qh
A bets 22k
B calls 22k (Pot 88k)
The 22k bet seems like a continuation bet in a Flop that is not so likely to hit anyone, and at this point B may think A is on a draw (a Flush draw or a Straight draw) and so calls in order to try to improve his hand.
TURN: 9c-5h-Qh-7c
A bets 109k
What did A want to do with his 109k bet in a pot of 88k?
Let’s see, before we see what B does:
Question: Was he signifying that he hit a Nine-high Straight?
Answer: Possibly, since there are 2 Flush draws on the table that could threaten his Straight if he keeps going to the River. He wants to finish the hand, or he is aiming to give odds too low for an opponent with a Flush draw to call. Or, he may be representing all these.
Question: Might he have A-Q or something?
Answer: No idea! Perhaps I put him on the hand at the Flop though I wasn’t putting him on it after the Flop. Might he stack up 109k on just A-Q? What if I have K-K? He doesn’t know what I have; I called at a reduced price from the BB. Also, favorably, he may have a 10-9 or J-9, and I have a huge advantage.
Question: What else do you think he had?
Answer: A Flush draw or a Straight draw. In any case my pair of Nines is leading, so I call.
Question: Even if it’s for all your chips?
Answer: This is the best hand I’ve had for hours!
B calls all-in 109k (Pot 306k)
B forgot to think that A may have K-K or A-A. If you followed the hypothetical question and answer above, what B’s answers meant is that B was looking at the Board and that he now believed that A ‘s cards are related to the Board in such a way as to Pair up one of A’s cards, complete a five-card hand (Straight or Flush) or a potential five-card hand. The fundamental error being made is that B was only thinking about the board and not what A’s hand may be and, in doing so forgot to put A on other hands that might not be so readily matched to the Board cards. And also, he was tired, fatigued, and so called with a marginal hand to have it over with and was knocked out of the tournament.
So make sure when you play not to overplay and play tired and if you are keep back to basics or play free poker else your brain may play tricks on you. And if you are new to online poker then you do get mind fried more quickly so try some how to play poker for beginners games and free poker coaching first before stepping into lengthy tournament poker games.
