In low stakes fixed limit holdem games, when a player makes a bet, he has to have a solid reason why he is betting. Is the player trying to get more money in the pot because he thinks he has the best hand or is to protect his hand from draw? These are two very good reasons to, bet especially in Limit Hold Em.
In Limit Hold Em, the aggressive preflop player almost always shoots a continuation bet. This is solid strategy, as a continuation bet will win the pot about 80% of the time. However, what if a player knew that his opponents would only fold to a continuation bet 20% of the time? Should he still use this strategy?
These are the questions low stakes limit cash game players face. Unfortunately, low stakes poker is not very realistic. Since the stakes are so small, many players refuse to fold, knowing they will not lose much money by calling anyway. This can be very frustrating for the player who takes the even the smallest stakes games seriously. Fortunately for the serious players, there is a way to punish the other players out of their money.
Here is the scenario: The serious player makes a raise with AK and is called by the very loose big blind player. The flop comes out with an ace and 2 blank hearts. Yes, a continuation bet here is not a bad play, in fact, it is good. Betting the AK with what is statistically the best hand will make the player money in the long term. However, what if the player with AK knew his opponent will call any continuation bet?
In this case, there is one more way the player can play the hand that might reduce long-term variance. Instead of continuation betting, checking behind and seeing a turn card might be in order. Sure, you are letting him try to catch his flush for free, but it can help the player with AK as well. If the player misses, then AK can bet. The bet will almost certainly make the player with the draw fold now, as the size of the bets double on Fourth Street. Thus, the possible flush chaser is getting worse odds. Additionally, there is only one more card to come. Low stakes FL players play badly, so think of ways to counteract their tendencies.
