7 replies to this topic

[GrinderMJ]

Hey guys, I was playing a MTT, and for whatever reason I started to wonder about the correct way to play draws. I was wondering what you guys thought were conditions that favor raising your draws as opposed to smooth calling them. Things like stack size, position, opponent, point in the tournament, structure, and prize distribution. copernicus, I would love to get your thoughts on this, as well as the thoughts of others.

[Kaedin]

i like to play flush draws more aggressively than straight draws, for the simple fact that if you're check/calling a flush draw, its much more obvious when you make it than a straight draw.

That being said, on UB, with the invention of the BET POT FOR THE WIN button, its hard to draw correctly, since you rarely have the proper odds with people spammin that button.

I also like draws a bit more in the early stages. Maybe this is just personal experience, it will differ from others, but i think they get paid off better in the early goings, when the loosey gooseys are still around.

[Syous]

position and how aggressive the other people are. If they're not going to fight me for every chip, then I raise or check-raise them

[therrinn]

Stack size is obviously a huge factor. The other one is my opponent. How strong do I think his hand is? Is he capable of laying down a hand? If the answers are right, I'll raise with my draws, figuring on some fold equity plus the strength of my draw to make it a good play. Against someone who will let me see cards very cheaply but can't lay down a hand, I'll just call. If I'm up against a good player, I need a monster draw to play - they're not going to give me the correct odds to draw, and they won't pay me off enough to give me correct implied odds. I forget which poker book said 'no limit hold em is not a drawing game' - no limit holdem against good players is not a drawing game. Against poor players, it often is.

[HtotheNootch]

Here's the way I generally play draws. I hope the better players will comment...

OESD: If I'm first to the pot I'll bet without reads to the contrary. I'll call a bet with odds. Straights are usually better hidden thad Flushes, so I'm more apt to play passively.

FD: I bet these more strongly since they're more obvious.

PP+FD: I bet strong.

PP+OESD: I play this real strong. Great semi-bluff hand.

PP+gutshot: I play pretty strongly. I want to take the pot down ASAP.

[PrtyPSux]

I play draws by ear really...it aaaallll depends on a number of things. Table image, opponent, are you getting payed off?, TABLE image, stack, blinds, level (bubble, early, FT, etc)..

often I like to lead out with a draw so that I can see it cheaper. ie:

6h7h in a 400 pot with a Ah 8h 2c Jc board, I might lead with a small 100 or 150 bet to scare the other guy, and hopefully get him to just call if I think he has an A, rather than push or bet the pot.


I know that example was pretty vague, but something like that...Im a big fan of leading out to the raiser for some reason, so I do that often.

In the bubble for the FT you can push almost any draw. It takes a big hand to call you and if they do they you can still win. Thats where that Vahedi line comes in "in order to live you gotta be willing to die".

[gobears]

Early in a MTT, I'll play my draws fairly passively as I want to see as many cards as I can cheaply. If I sense weakness in my opponent and think that I have some fold equity, I'll play it more aggressively.

In the later stages of a tourney, I'll be more likely to bet my draws as a semi-bluff. I'll play them the same way I play a made hand like a set or top two to keep my opponents guessing. I'm more likely to semi-bluff with a straight draw than a flush draw since the straight draw is harder to see.

Even if I don't have a draw; if I have position and the board shows potential straight or flush draws, I'll call down and then bet out if the flush/straight draw hits as if I hit it. I'll only do this against a strong player who is paying attention and who I'm putting on some sort of TP hand.

[MasterLJ]

Hey guys, I was playing a MTT, and for whatever reason I started to wonder about the correct way to play draws. I was wondering what you guys thought were conditions that favor raising your draws as opposed to smooth calling them. Things like stack size, position, opponent, point in the tournament, structure, and prize distribution. copernicus, I would love to get your thoughts on this, as well as the thoughts of others.

Position and stack size are huge factors for me to raise a draw.

In position with a big stack will allow you to get a lot of cheap draws. Raise/bet with OESD and/or flush draw, generally your opponent will not push unless they are confident of their kicker or they have a set (rare), then they will check to you on the turn giving you the turn and the river for the price of your initial raise.

Keep in mind, this obviously can only be done when the blinds are manageable and still allow for actual play (read: not an all-in fest).

If there's any factor that stresses urgency (opponent was low M value for example) it's not a good idea to raise your draw for the obvious reason (they will push).