Gap Concept

I understand that the basic's of the Gap Concept is that
"You need a better hand to call a raise than to raise."

My question is Does position play more or less into this concept.

If i have position on the raiser do I still need such a strong hand to call? Than if i was OO?.
I guess it would depened also on how we see the raiser. If they are weak/tight,tight/aggressive/manaic ect...

What do you think?

Position always makes your hand better. Pockets eights is much stronger on the button than on Under the gun. So, all you have to do is factor your position into your hand strength

I'm familiar with Sklansky's Gap Concept and IMHO our read on the raiser plays a bigger part than is mentioned in books, etc. Also, the amount of the raise, the amount already in the pot, and our overall poker ability are more factors to consider.

I wouldn't automatically call a raise with 88 on the button. The raise would have to be reasonable, the pot would have to give me odds, and I would have to be confident in my post-flop play if I don't hit trips.

I see, that's kind of what i thought thanks but...

How about this. It's folded to us in the CO with A9o we raise to 3xBB.
Now does the button need a better hand to call our raise with?
Since our position is the CO, Could he be justified in calling with K9s which he would otherwise lay down if we raised from UTG instead?

I see how much of this is read/player depenant. But with all of the players out there it's hard to get a read on someone it a SNG.....I've found this situation come up ofter during play.

Do we need to discount or open our calling requirements due to the position of the raiser ? Since the raisier has opened his raising requirments due to his position. This could be a better way of saying it.

MrSticker said:

I'm familiar with Sklansky's Gap Concept and IMHO our read on the raiser plays a bigger part than is mentioned in books, etc. Also, the amount of the raise, the amount already in the pot, and our overall poker ability are more factors to consider.

I wouldn't automatically call a raise with 88 on the button. The raise would have to be reasonable, the pot would have to give me odds, and I would have to be confident in my post-flop play if I don't hit trips.

Click to expand...

I wouldn't automatically call with 88 either.... but i'd be more apt to call with 88 on the button, then call a raise back to me utg.

The gap concept is all about putting a player on a hand. You are at a full table of 10 players and it folded around to late position, you now are only playing a 4 person table for that hand.

It is a general concept that can help you determine if you have the best hand and decide what to play if you are the first to act. If there is a raiser then you can use it to determine what hands he might be playing and see if you can beat him.

Example that made sense to me:
NL full table and early position raises and another calls. You sit on the button with A 10 offsuit. Do you think with a bet and caller someone has your 10 outkicked so your A is counterfitted and you are really drawing to the 3 10's left in the deck.

Position will help you play the hand post flop but I don't think it should affect the hand selection that you need to call with.

Say you have K,Qo in the hijCK.
No one opens the bettinG, so you now open raise.

same thing happens except a guy opens before you... you now must fold.

It takes a better hand to call than to bet with.

Bill

Simple isn't it. The Gap Concept applies regardless of the size of the raise or the temperment of the raiser in front of you. It does not mean you don't take these factors into consideration. Of coarse there are some hands that are going to be played nomatter what.