When to Go All In

Kramer · #1 05-13-2006, 11:37 AM

With Daniel Negreanu

Its important to note that certain draws are so powerful they can actually be the favorite to win the pot.

For example if you hold 5h,6h , the flop is 6d,7h,8h you'd be the
favorite to win the pot even against pocket aces.
In fact you'd be a substantial favorite improving the winning hand about 64%of the time.

There's a rule you can use to help figure out whether or not your
drawing hand is a favorite against an opponent.

THE RULE :

After the flop if there are 13 cards which will improve your hand to the winner you're a small underdog.
If 14 cards make your hand you're about even money to win.
if 15 cards or more outs you're a slight favorite.

Here's an example.

Player A's cards : 7c,8c
player B : cards : qh , 2c

The flop - qc,7h,3c
player a had 13 cards to improve and win 47% of time
( 8 clubs , 2 7's , 3 8's)

now change player B cards from 2c to 2h and player A goes from
underdog to slight 50.1% favorite...

Its important to know these odds.
Especially in no limit hold em tourneys deciding whether
TO CALL ALL IN ...

Lets say in an extreme example you're in the big blind holding a
2-3 pitiful hand ofsuit.
Another player has gone all in.
You know for certain you're beat.

Well it doesn't always mean you should fold.
First calculate the pot odds.
Then assess your chances of winning counting your outs.

Consider this : You're in 400 in a big blind.
Your opponent goes all in for 700.
The bet facing you is only 300.

Including the small blind you'd be risking 300 to win 1,300.
That's over 4-1 pot odds.
Even if your opponent is holding an A/K you'll get lucky 34% of the time.

You won't win at poker just by playing good hands.
In order to reach that higher level you need to change the way you think about the game.
Are the pot odds and my hand percentages worth calling the
bettor that went all in?

On the other side if the pot odds are quite small , it isn't worth calling
your opponent even if your holding trips ..