The SBP Archives - Your less than frequent dose of SBP!

If you ever watch poker on television, sometimes the pros like to show off and guess their opponent's hand when they witness a raise, a re-raise or a flat call. "You have a pair of Queens!" "Wow, how did you know!?!?" The player holding the Queens thinks the pro has x-ray vision and, like magic, can tell exactly what they're holding. The truth is that experienced, observant players can usually tell what they are holding based on betting patterns combined with what they themselves are holding, not by having supernatural powers (If someone tells you they do, ask them what suit your Queens are). For example, say I'm holding Ace-King. I bring it in for a raise. A player then re-raises, and everyone folds to me. What does this re-raiser have?

Since I have an Ace and a King, it is more than likely this player isn't holding an Ace or a King (Notice I said "likely". It is still a possibility, but you want to make the best guess possible based on the limited information you have). So I'd rule him or her out having pocket Aces or Kings. When someone makes a re-raise though, they're still indicating strength, even without Aces or Kings. It is extremely unlikely for someone to re-raise with absolutely nothing. What they are doing is they want the drawing hands to pay a price for seeing the flop. It is probable this person has an already made hand: a pocket pair. Players holding low pocket pairs usually will fold if raised since they want to play them to catch trips for a cheap price, or will simply call the bet. So, based on the information we have, I would guess this re-raiser would have a high pocket pair, probably Queens (remember, we already have an Ace and a King) or maybe Jacks or Tens.

You should get in the habit of trying to figure out what your opponent is holding and not just worry about your own cards. It would help you determine whether or not you will continue once the flop hits. For instance, say the flop comes up:

Ace-Ten-Six

This is a great flop for you. Top pair with top kicker, no obvious straight draws and if it came up rainbow (mixed suits), no flush draws. You should bet aggressively or maybe try a check-raise. But if the flop came:

Jack-Ten-Nine

This is a dangerous flop for an Ace-King. All you have now is Ace high. Remember, someone RE-RAISED you pre-flop. They showed no fear with your initial raise and was happy they were getting action, and to prove it they made you put more chips in the middle. You MUST give them credit for holding something. With this flop, they likely have an overpair (a pair higher than what the flop shows is possible). If they held Queens, they also have an outside straight draw (if a King or Eight hits). If they held Jacks, they just made trips. Because you reasoned out what they were holding, you can simply check to this flop, and when they bet throw your hand away and save yourself some chips.

Playing a solid game is more than playing YOUR cards. Get in the habit of guessing what your opponent has, and it will not just help you win chips but also save yourself some in the process, too.