Slowplaying on Poker Stars

Since every situation a poker player encounters at the Poker Stars table is going to be unique, when considering a slowplay, the key is to know when and how to slowplay. Slowplaying, if used at the wrong time, can cause a player to lose his entire stack. When used at the right time, and when used correctly, it can mean a player doubling his stack. In this sense, knowing how and when to slowplay can make or break a poker player. It is a crucial skill that many players overlook and yet it is so important to know.

When to Slowplay

First, do not slowplay unless the other players are aggressive and thinking players. Slowplaying at micro levels is not a good strategy, as ABC poker is the best way to play at these levels. The players must be thinking and advanced players, because these are the players that try to steal pots when they sense weakness in their opponents. Aggressive players as well try to buy many pots. Knowing this, the key is to trap these players into betting when they think you will fold, or when they think they are betting for value.

How to Slowplay

There are two main ways to slowplay. The first involves checking a monster hand when the opponent is likely to bet. Then, the check-raise is used, to get more money in the pot. This way however, is dangerous, since the opponent can check behind and get to see a free turn card. That turn card, although seldom, can give the opponent the best hand and thus cost the slow player much money.

The second way, and more desirable way to slowplay simply involves betting out, but not betting so much as to force the opponent to fold. When a player bets out his monster, but only bets around half of the pot, an aggressive player often takes that bet as weakness and will counter with a big raise. Imagine flopping the nuts and just betting out half the pot. Not many players are going to think the player betting out is doing so with the absolute best hand. In fact, the opponent would probably assume that if the player with the nuts in fact had the nuts, he would check in hopes of check raising.

Be careful before download poker stars and start slowplaying and make sure all conditions are right. Slowplaying is a dangerous play that can mean rags or riches.