Question About NL Cash Game... Betting Patterns

I've been playing the .25/.50 NL Cash game Max $50 buyin, running 4 tables at a time. I don't know if it's just me, but say someone raises preflop to 2.00 in mid position and I call in the SB. Flop comes 9 6 4 and it's the initial raiser to act. He pulls the old bet the pot click for 5.00. Seems like a pretty big bet for a guy who raised preflop with a board like that. I mean why would he bet so much with a PP or better yet a set? What I'm trying to say is have any of you cash gamers out there noticed, that when someone raises preflop only to have a rag board come and then bet that pot that they have absolutely nothing the majority of the time? That's what I have noticed in the games I've played because I make a play back at these guys sometimes with no hand and they fold. Just curious as to what others think?

Completely depends on your opponent and his tendencies. Every player is different.

If I'm holding aces in that situation, I'll occasionally pot it to see if I can stack TT+ there, or I might toss in what looks like a standard c-bet. I might even check, hoping something like KQ will hit a pair on the turn so he'll commit more chips.

Note what specific opponents show down in those situations, then choose your actions based on that.

I agree with ChuckTs. When I am playing more of my looser game, I will raise preflop and always make a continuation bet. If I have a monster or flop a huge hand (esp. a set when there are two big cards out there) I will bet the pot. If he calls, I know he hit something, but I know I have the better hand (unless total cooler). Turn I will bet over the pot, and just try to get the most money out of it.

It really depends on the player. I have run into ALOT of people who continue bet no matter what. Preflop raise with AQ, flop is rags, continue bet. Usually if you call once and they were first to act, they'll check to you on the turn.

See I just don't get betting the pot when you have a big hand like AA on a flop of J 8 4 or something. By betting the pot you are banking your opponent has a hand, and aren't you trying to maximize your profit? Betting the pot in hopes of him having a hand isn't doing that IMO.

Well I was referring to when I was playing very loose. Almost every pot, raising when I am in it. So if he hit anything, or had a draw, or overcards.. he usually calls and I get paid off.

And part of it is due simply to the "bet pot" button, just like the min raise frequency increases with a default minimum amount for the raise button.

The sites I play most at don't have the "bet pot" button, so I see pot bets more at FTP than anywhere.

I honestly hate the betpot button... it should be only available for Pot Limit games. Atleast make the people think about what they are going to bet.

Wolfpack43ACC said:

See I just don't get betting the pot when you have a big hand like AA on a flop of J 8 4 or something. By betting the pot you are banking your opponent has a hand, and aren't you trying to maximize your profit? Betting the pot in hopes of him having a hand isn't doing that IMO.

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Does a play being unprofitable mean that noone will do it?

We're talking about your average 50NL player here. They don't make the 'best' play every time. Some of them make the 'worst' play every time.

I see your point, though. Generally, strength means weakness and weakness means strength. ie a big bet like this is more often than not something that wants you to fold.

Like I said before, though, it depends on your opponent - with some, the above rule applies every time, with others, it's exactly the opposite. Note your players' tendencies, and take it from there.

Wolfpack43ACC said:

See I just don't get betting the pot when you have a big hand like AA on a flop of J 8 4 or something. By betting the pot you are banking your opponent has a hand, and aren't you trying to maximize your profit? Betting the pot in hopes of him having a hand isn't doing that IMO.

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Thats the whole point to betting like that, if you were the initial raiser and bet the pot on a ragged board, your looking to take the pot right there, its not the best, but is an effective strategy especially if the players have missed the board completely and they have no PP, the initial raiser repped strength with his/her hand preflop,and now puts out a pot bet.
Now, most and sometimes all fold because they have nothing to call with.
If this same player does this 5 times an orbit and only gets contested twice, thats 3 times that he doesn't and sometimes with-in the 2 times that he is contested, he will win a huge pot because he will have the goods, but won't be respected for his bets because of his reckless play before and therefore will come out a winner.
He can then start his cycle from the beginning again because with his latest win, he has now become unpredictable again.

The only types of players I can see using this strategy are the types who can afford a huge downswing to their BR.

shinedown fan huh... favorite song 45 i'm assuming, good tune!

Like chuck was saying, it really just depends on your opponent. If I am the initial raiser pre, I c-bet the flop probably 75% of the time. If I have been at a table with the same people for a while and think that they definitely have taken note of that (or have been getting played back at when doing that) then I'll play my big hands exactly the same way as I have been playing the majority of my hands.

If I am c-betting most flops when I raise pre, then all of the sudden I'm checking the flop, I think that will send off warning sirens a lot more then just throwing my standard c-bet out there and hoping to either string people along or get played back at.

I agree with most here that it really depends on the p[layer and i personally like a pot limit game I think the reason for the pot bet is usually to run someone off the pot.Lets say they do have AA and you hit top pair they wouldnt want to give the chance for a 2nd pr.This is just my opinion.Not to mention though if i raise preflop im following up on my betting

Wolfpack43ACC said:

shinedown fan huh... favorite song 45 i'm assuming, good tune!

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Nice song and even BETTER team. Go state