Is it ever +ve?
When?
Why?
Would love any opinions.
TBH... In most live games your table is going to be one filled mostly with donks/mediocre players. If you can't find the donk/mediocre player at the table... than its probably you and you need to GTFOutta there. I have played at major casino poker rooms at low lvl binds ($1/2 or $2/4 NL) for 20-40+ hours a week for the better part of the year. You would be incredibly surprised how many WSOP and other Major tournament winners regularly sit at tables of random casinos. Unless you are a REAL regular at a particular casino and really get into the poker scene... you would never realize how out matched you may be versus the guy on your left. Donks/Fish/Mediocre players bring in the money. Leave your ego at home and play poker to GET MONEY... not fame. Its a business. Treat it as such. Or... Donate me your chips...
haha, means he don't have an fn clue what donk betting is lol.And what does this have to do with donk betting exactly? :dontknow:
I know what it means. Its a move of check/calling or call/call or betting pre-flop in a hand every so often OOP with rags or 22+ to 77 with the knowledge that there are strong handed players in the pot. Flop comes and OOP you open up the pot against the original Aggressor. Hoping that someone with the AK AJ or KQ KJ hits the flop but its a weak flop .... As 4c 9d.... and you hit trips or possibly hit two pair 4 9.... etc. Lots of different meanings to Donk betting. What I said previously still applies
It's a risky move that could decimate your chipstack. Also, how many times are you honestly going to make a move like that, lose, and keep your head together? Often times we kick ourselves in the ass anytime we choose to make a risky move and second guess the nature of our game which would put most people on a tilt situation for a period of time. Which is why I say... I only suggest to do it keeping what I have said in mind. And only do it every 3-4 hours regardless of if it worked out to your benefit and you felted someone or not.
We are talking about a Cash Game here... 1 table... Live. You ever lose $400, or how about $4000, on a hand you were better off not ever having been in? For people with a solid poker strategy and solid bankroll management this kind of thing may only be a minor setback. It's all about having the right mindset and playing at stakes you are comfortable with losing. Make sure you realize that Donk Betting can be a useful game changing move if you win or lose and is justifiable as such. So long as you actually use it with other goals in mind... consider it higher equity if you will. Do it once every few hours or not at all. Winning the hand your in is always a concern but thinking ahead and setting yourself up for more beneficial higher % chances of taking down larger pots with cards that are no-brainer max value plays is a much more intelligent choice. Atleast for long term financial gain.
Like I said, that is how I approach making a Donk Bet...I have noticed personally it is best to do so with a very low frequency. Some people lose sight of the goal because emotions come into play and wipe logic clear off the map.
Theres a saying. "Lots of valuable lessons in life come freely but often the most important ones come with a high price."
Never bet against calling stations unless you have something real good. If you have a medium hand keep the pot size low. Don´t feel commited to the pot with mediocre hands or it will cost you tons of money.
PROS:
- Against weak players/calling stations, you can get more value from your hand
- Against strong players, you get the first chance to bluff when you think the board missed your opponent's range
- You avoid giving a free card to drawing hands when you may be ahead
- You take control of the hand the rest of the way
CONS:
- When you have a weak hand and get called, you are OOP the rest of the way with an inflated pot
- When playing against strong players, you have to balance your donkbetting range to include bluffs, and bluffing OOP against solid players can be dangerous
- If your range isn't balanced to include bluffs, you basically scream to the table that you hit the flop
- You risk getting raised by an opponent that has position on you
- You may get an aggressive opponent to fold rather than checking to him and getting an extra bet out of him
Basically, like anything in poker, donkbetting can be both good and bad, depending on the game dynamics. I never used to donkbet. But I play 1/2 NL live where the player pool is terrible in general, and a lot of players will call me without even thinking about whether or not I hit the flop. This usually gives me some extra value instead of risking a check-around and a free turn card.
If you are usually playing against decent/solid/strong players, you may want to think about whether it will be beneficial or harmful to your game. If you can't effectively balance your donkbetting range with air, you should probably just avoid doing it most of the time, even when you risk getting drawn out on with a free turn if it is checked around.