Betting types: the PROBE BET
Wednesday, April 29th, 2009
In one of my previous posts I talked you about the notion of the value bet. Now I want to say something briefly about another sort of bet: in face the probe bet. They have some things in common with the previously noted value bet but it’s goal/function is actually completely different.
THE PROBE BET
In general, probe bets are a bit smaller dan the value bets. (1/3 to 1/2 of the pot size). You do probe bets when you believe you don’t have the best but you want to bet for some various reasons. You do it when you want to know where you stand in comparison with your opponents. A probe bet could result in one of the follow outcomes:
- winning the pot
- getting in control of the hand
- avoiding larger bets
- chase out the weakest
That would be definitely an unexpected result, but you definitely won’t complain 
By taking the lead in betting yourself and establishing yourself as the main man in the pot, it’s possible you may get a free card or two on later streets.
Players with a decent hand are more likely to bet first in the pot, than to raise an initial better. By betting first, you could convince an opponent to just call rather than betting a larger amount. This enables you to see the turn or river at a cheaper price.
With a bet you could convince a couple of opponents to throw their bad hands away, rather than call with hands that might have beaten you with a lucky draw. And believe me, by just checking this happens a lot :p
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