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Small Blind Strategy In No Limit Holdem

  8 August, 2005

  Though I and many other authors will list a wide variety of hands that you can enter the pot with for half a bet from the small blind, many of them can lead you into trouble if you don't play them correctly after the flop. Let's look at a couple of examples, A3o and 67s, to discuss what we hope to see on a flop.

  A3o (An Ace and a Three not suited) is not a bad hand to enter the pot with for half of a bet, but the problem arises when you hit an Ace on the flop without any other help. Realize that if any of the other players have an Ace your kicker will not be good. If you choose to lead into the pot with a bet, any player that calls or raises may very well have you beat, but you don't have enough information. If you check and someone bets, you are probably behind and will have to catch up to win. When I am in this situation, I will release to any aggression from an opponent unless I have a draw to a straight with the correct pot odds or manage to hit two pair. I have even laid down two pair in certain situations if I read a set or there is a possible flush. In some games with strong opposition, I will even fold A3 in the small blind.

  When I enter the pot from the small blind with a 67s, I hope to hit a straight, straight draw or two pair. Though there is always the chance of a flush, but everyone in the game will see a possibility of a flush and the only way to get much action is from someone with a higher flush. However, a straight will be well disguised as most holdem players assume that no one will be in a pot with 67. The only way to get into trouble is if you hit a pair on the flop and then chase. A straight draw is a possibility and you can judge whether to stay in the pot based on your pot odds.

  The important point is, make sure you enter the pot with the mindset that you won't lose very much with one of these hands, but you may win a big pot. Don't chase with hands that are behind without the proper pot odds and don't be afraid to fold a pair of Aces with a bad kicker. Playing hands like these is about winning a few very big pots, not a few small ones.

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