Donk Betting: When Is it Best?

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Frozrbyte

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I'm not a real big fan of donk betting but I do realise it can be good to have it in your poker arsenal. I'm still learning which spots might be good for for donk betting. Anyone have any suggestions on what to donk bet with and on what type of board might be safe for it?

So far, I'll probably donk into an aggressive opponent when I have the nuts to get him to reraise. Other opponents I'm guessing maybe a nut gutshot with backdoor draws potential since it's quite hard to get good odds to call with a gutshot. Donk betting is out of my comfort zone so if you have any better suggestions or against what I donk bet with, feel free to speak your mind here so we can all learn.
 
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GWU73

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I like donk betting for value. Over pairs often call down. Some players will call very light.

It can be perceived as weak. Especially compared to taking a line like check, call flop, lead turn.
 
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goodlife

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Im also having troubles with this topic,

I think donk betting on low boards where you as the BB have a wider range than the button opener (because you can call a lot as you get a discount)

So for example bottom of buton's opening range can be 86s, where you as the big blind can still call with 84s and T4s, so if flop comes 84T you have a range advantage over this.

Im just not sure on what hands to use etc...
 
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Tito Born

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I don't like donk bet

I don't like donk bet cos it's a bad strategy
 
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Frozrbyte

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I like donk betting for value. Over pairs often call down. Some players will call very light.

It can be perceived as weak. Especially compared to taking a line like check, call flop, lead turn.

I do that too at times. Works especially well with over aggressive players at the micros. I will usually mix it up with my draw hands as well.

Im also having troubles with this topic,

I think donk betting on low boards where you as the BB have a wider range than the button opener (because you can call a lot as you get a discount)

So for example bottom of buton's opening range can be 86s, where you as the big blind can still call with 84s and T4s, so if flop comes 84T you have a range advantage over this.

Im just not sure on what hands to use etc...

I'm thinking maybe leading out with hand that you have equity on? maybe draws so at least when you get 2bet, you have equity continue with your hand.

I don't like donk bet cos it's a bad strategy

I don't like to do it too. But i think if we pick the right spots to do donk bet, it can be an additional tool to pick some extra pots.
 
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goodlife

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I'm thinking maybe leading out with hand that you have equity on? maybe draws so at least when you get 2bet, you have equity continue with your hand.
ye true, so like a hand that you don't want to x/call and have backdoor draws with, like A4 on T56 with b flushdraw.

But then to balance it with value hands is hard, coz they are also good for check/raises :p.
 
RegHC23

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I think that donk betting really depends on the player that you are playing against. I think donk betting can get you in some really precarious situations and you have to be disciplined and give up when you know whatever plan you just tried to run doesnt work. If you know that a person that you are playing against heads up folds to the donk bet, go ahead and bet into that person until they show you otherwise. When they bet you need to be worried because they are normally going to have something good at that time.
 
catchitfool

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ont like donk betting unless I have some outs more than 3 (gut shot). otherwise its tossing chips away, however if its checked around twice I almost have to bet being in the blinds
 
Space Ghost

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I like donk betting for value. Over pairs often call down. Some players will call very light.

It can be perceived as weak. Especially compared to taking a line like check, call flop, lead turn.
I do the same.

If villain loves calling, I donk into them when I have the nuts. A lot of times, they think you're BSing.
 
Aces2w1n

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The problem if you donk bet too much, people will play back at you and re-raise you and put you in bad spots. Good thing is if your onto it you can playback if you can read the hand well.

And if that happens it means your playing too loose.
 
Beanfacekilla

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FWIW, donked betting is probably not a good thing. It can work against certain opponents.

However, it puts you in bad spots often. You are leading OOP, and often you will have no clue where you stand in the hand. Smooth called, and you miss your draw (most of the time what donked bettors do, bet with draws), now you are in a bad spot.


I feel like you get much better information by checking to the raiser. It is easier for me OOP to get an idea of opponent(s) ranges without donking.


I am a live player, so many spots are not HU.


Exceptions to the rule might be if you have a huge hand. Even then though, if you get smooth called, and ugly turn card peels, you really don't know where you are.
 
Thinker_145

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Im also having troubles with this topic,

I think donk betting on low boards where you as the BB have a wider range than the button opener (because you can call a lot as you get a discount)

So for example bottom of buton's opening range can be 86s, where you as the big blind can still call with 84s and T4s, so if flop comes 84T you have a range advantage over this.

Im just not sure on what hands to use etc...

Eh what? A button open range is much wider than the BB call range or at least it should be since the button has position and fold equity. You should pretty much never call in the BB with 84s or T4s. If the button is stealing way too much then 3 bet those hands not call.

Sent from my XT1032 using Tapatalk
 
Beanfacekilla

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Eh what? A button open range is much wider than the BB call range or at least it should be since the button has position and fold equity. You should pretty much never call in the BB with 84s or T4s. If the button is stealing way too much then 3 bet those hands not call.

Sent from my XT1032 using Tapatalk



+1,000,000
 
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Frozrbyte

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The problem if you donk bet too much, people will play back at you and re-raise you and put you in bad spots. Good thing is if your onto it you can playback if you can read the hand well.

And if that happens it means your playing too loose.

I think that's why it's important to have some equity when you donk bet so at least you have a way out if you do get put in a tough spot.
 
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clarence crumpet

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Can someone explain donk betting please? Someone else also asked.
 
rawbad

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its a part of everyones arsenal I use it when necessary
 
tilan501

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I just do donk bet to get re-raised, when i see some player is pretty much agressive.
 
smallfrie

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I just don't think it is a +ev play, and I really don't want to bring on instant scrutiny and possible targeting by any sharks at the table after I make a donk lead. If you think donk leading works for you go ahead but as for me no thanks.
 
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Lynnplaysbovada

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DONK BETTING IN BOVADA

I'm not a real big fan of donk betting but I do realise it can be good to have it in your poker arsenal. I'm still learning which spots might be good for for donk betting. Anyone have any suggestions on what to donk bet with and on what type of board might be safe for it?

So far, I'll probably donk into an aggressive opponent when I have the nuts to get him to reraise. Other opponents I'm guessing maybe a nut gutshot with backdoor draws potential since it's quite hard to get good odds to call with a gutshot. Donk betting is out of my comfort zone so if you have any better suggestions or against what I donk bet with, feel free to speak your mind here so we can all learn.

IF you like donk betting, no better place than Bovada ...no usernames so you will never be identified as a donk, personally. I like to have on donk on board because if you have a great hand, they are easy to pick off.
 
Saperion

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The best players to donk bet against are "the calling stations", they always want to see an extra card.

:D
 
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Frozrbyte

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IF you like donk betting, no better place than Bovada ...no usernames so you will never be identified as a donk, personally. I like to have on donk on board because if you have a great hand, they are easy to pick off.

I think you're confusing Donk and donk betting. A donk is a bad player and yes they often donk bet with lousy hands and air. However, there are good players who know when to utilise donk betting and use it to their advantage. Even pro's will sometimes donk bet into the aggressor.

So the idea here is to identify the right spots to use this play so we can add it to the arsenal.
 
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DunningKruger

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Donking is handy at times as an exploitative play. It's not easy to use a well balanced donk range that isn't leaving money on the table overall, and as long as players continue to cbet like maniacs there really isn't going to be a common use for it.

I will on occasion opt for leading over check/raising depending on who I want to be the first player to have their stack in the middle.
 
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leorulex

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I like donk betting for value if i have the nuts with donk opponent in river
 
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