Is Slow Playing becoming an epidemic?

Baseballa19 · #1 12-03-04, 08:58 AM

Getting beat by a set is bad enough, but it seems like EVERYONE wants to slow play their pocket Js-As. I've even done it myself.

omahilo · #2 12-03-04, 10:22 AM

I dont slowplay big pocket pairs... getting cute with your AA like as if it cant be beat isnt the way to go. I like to slowplay sets but it seems like every time I hit a set, the board usually is 2 suited so I will bet out to force out flush draws.

Baseballa19 · #3 12-03-04, 10:55 AM

I agree with you on how it SHOULD be played. I'm just making an observation of how I am seeing it being played continuously.

SirFWALGMan · #4 12-03-04, 11:32 AM

I have seen what you are talking about also. An ace on the flop. Check it around. You KNOW someone has an Ace. Then when someone hits there K on the turn you raise them with your Ace. Smooth move. However, I never slowplay weak cards. If I have a pocket pair or 2nd high card I am going to fold to a bet on the flop with an ace. If you give me another card however I have infinate odds to make my two pair or trips. So just bet out.

One thing about betting out: You will never get the flush to fold. If someone has 4 to a flush and two cards to go they are in to the river. It is just a fact. So you might as well bet out and win some money when they miss.

I also have been known to slowplay trips. One reason I do this sometimes is because you need to give people time to make somewhat of a hand. You want to get heads up with two pair or something like that. I always bet out or raise if a flush or straight is on the board. I know they are not going to fold, but I have to give it a try. A gutshot straight might fold.

I definatly slowplay a flopped flush, boat, or quads. No reason to bet these. If I am on the turn and one person is left I will try and get into a raising war with him. If there are 3 or more, I just want everyone to donate.

Baseballa19 · #5 12-03-04, 01:16 PM

Absolutely, slow playing is a valuable tactic at times. I'm one of those guys, by the way, that if I am on a flush draw, I am staying to the river if it's not too expensive. If it's too expensive, the outs don't justify it.

hackers238 · #6 12-03-04, 01:49 PM

I think that the slow play should be eliminated from LOWER limit games, simply because of the play there. If you originally sit down at a table and yuo dont know the other players, you should eliminate the slow play until you get a feel for the game and understand when you should use it.

Baseballa19 · #7 12-03-04, 02:09 PM

The best way to gain that understanding by doing it. There's no better teacher than getting a pair of Aces popped because of slowplaying them

jillaj · #8 12-03-04, 02:11 PM

I actually don't mind when people slow play. That normally means i am beat and won't have to throw many chips in with my hand. Mixing it up really gets people. They have no clue what you have then.

drewjax · #9 12-03-04, 03:15 PM

Betting out with a strong hand can be deceptive because there is so much slow playing going on.

Baseballa19 · #10 12-03-04, 03:28 PM

If they are slow playing, you don't know what they have and you would throw in MORE chips. If they bet their hand, if you don't have anything, you'll go out right away.

DaTruPoker · #11 12-03-04, 04:50 PM

if I am heads up i will often slow play an ace preflop by not raisng it then check the flop the rare occasions i do hit an ace. my opponents have a hard time putting me on the ace esp if they have 2nd or 3rd pair. However I NEVER slowplay in multiway pot unless I flop NUT flush or better. Or a set if the flop is pretty for me.(no flush or straight draws)

junYUN · #12 12-03-04, 07:38 PM

slowplaying is definatly an epidemic, only because the mediocre players are hearing about it and thinking they need to do it to "hide" their cards. the way i figured it out was it's not about hiding your cards -- it's about protecting you cards. betting into a flop when i have top pair with a weak kicker is protecting me from an overcard hitting and someone else picking up top pair. slowplaying should only be done if you really think you have your opponent crushed (i.e. pocket aces and an ace hits the flop with some rags). the point of slowplaying is to hide the strength of your hand, but if there is no real strength to your hand then why try and hide it? you have to make it seem as if you're stronger -- being deceptive is what poker is about. i see people slow play their set and get beat by a runner and bitch about a "bad beat." that's my philosophy at least.