Value Bets

#1 23rd November 2006, 4:52 PM

Hi everyone and Happy Thanksgiving.
As you all probably know I am kind of new to poker and am trying to improve my game. I have been hearing alot about value bets. I was just wondering if anyone could show me an example and also can I use it in MTT's? I think I do use it naturally but don't know that I am using it....if that makes any sense.....I would to know more about it anyhow. Thanks Ken

#2 23rd November 2006, 5:38 PM

A value bet is just what it sounds like, a smallish bet used to try and lure your opponent into a call. You could use it when you want to attempt to see a cheap card on the turn/river. You can also use it as a pot builder if you think you're ahead in the hand and the board isn't threatening. Finally, if you have a good player you're facing, you can also use it as a bluff.

As far as how to define a value bet...people have different views but I believe HoH defines it as a 1/4 to a 1/3 pot sized bet.

#3 23rd November 2006, 6:44 PM

The most to-the-point definition of a value bet I can think of is "a bet you want your opponent to call." I disagree with Medeiros that it's ever used as a bluff. You can sometimes - in no-limit structures - make a small bet as a bluff, precisely because it may look like a value-bet (and therefore be more threatening than a big bet). But that bet isn't for value; it's a bluff.

#4 26th November 2006, 5:27 AM

Heres where I tend to use the value bet a lot. Say the board reads q,J,10,9 and Im holding AK. With a board like that if I push, anyone not holding at least a king is going to fold. I'll make a judgemment call on what hand I think my opponent(s) hold(s) and decide what the maximum I can bet that they wont fold.

#5 27th November 2006, 7:14 PM

As FP said, a bet you want your opponent(s) to call. Common example would be top pair top kicker after the flop, or for that matter, top pair so so kicker, or middle pair big kicker. You bet to get lesser hands to add to the pot & to get information. The information gathering aspect is of little use in MTT play, at least early on due to the number of loose to loony calls.

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