Valuebets, Protection Bets, Bluffbets

We often get into the situation where we place our standard bets and at the end we are wondering whether it was an appropriate bet or not. This article will help you to find out what kind of bet is appropriate in a particular situation.

Introduction:
We often get into the situation where we place our standard bets and at the end we are wondering whether it was an appropriate bet or not. Thereby
it doesn't depend on the size or success of the bet, but rather what
you expected or what you wanted to achieve with this bet. For this
reason, we'll go through the various types of betting and try to
explain them in more detail with examples.
Analogous to “bets”, the betting types apply also for a “raise”, of
course. For the sake of convenience, I just use the term “bets” most of
the time. I want to distinguish the types of betting in three
categories: value bets, protection bets, bluff bets.

Value bets
A value bet is the simplest form of a bet. We assume to hold the
strongest hand and want to extract value from a weaker hand. We also
take it as granted that there is barely a hand which might be dangerous
for us on the following streets or we give such a hand a maximum of 4
outs. In this case, it's all about maximizing value.

Protection bets
When placing a protection bet, we assume that we are ahead most of the
time, but at the same time we know that there are some cards which
might be dangerous on the following streets. In the case we have 8 or
more outs against us, it's mandatory to protect our still strong hand.
Naturally, protection goes hand in hand with maximizing value because
every protection bet is a value bet in addition, as long as a possible
draw did not complete yet.

Bluff bets
Although it's a marginal term, I'd like to call all other bets a bluff
bet for now. Not all of them really deserve this name, that's why we
differ between:

• Continuation Bet
• Position Bet
• Information Bet
• Pure bluff bet

In contrary to value- and protection bets, we want to take the pot
immediately with a bluff bet. We assume that we hardly have showdown
value and try to “steal” the pot with an appropriate bet. A good bluff
bet is when you can force a better hand to fold.

The continuation bet is well known by everybody. A continuation bet is
definitely a bluff bet since basically it depends on the preflop action,
on the opponent as well as on the board but less on your own
cards.

It's similar with the position bet where we place a bet in position
after our opponents showed weakness. Here again, we hope to force out
weak made hands and take advantage of our position and the obvious
weakness from the villains.

Basically, the information bet isn't a bluff bet, but it can be seen
roughly as a bluff within the scope. We hold a relative weak made hand
and we neither want nor can play in a way ahead / way behind situation,
but we also don't want to fold. Therefore we raise to get information
about our hand. Finally, we could do this just as well with every other
possible hand and that's why it's very close to a bluff. The only
difference is that we receive a bit of showdown value in the case of a
call and following check/check on turn and river.

A pure bluff bet should only be done with reason and good reads. Whilst
all previous types of betting come up during play and might be applied
here and there, a pure bluff is unnecessary most of the time.

Hand 1
PartyPoker $25 NL Hold'em (6 handed)

Stacks & Stats
MP ($25)
CO ($25)
UTG ($25)
BB ($25)
SB ($25)
Hero ($25)

Preflop: Hero is Button with Q
, Q

3 folds, Hero raises to $1.00, SB calls $1.00, BB folds,

Flop: ($2.50) K
, A
, 5
(2 players)
SB bets $2.00, Hero raises to $7.00

Actually, it's a standard move. We raise QQ preflop, get a coldcaller
and the board brings us two overcards. Villain donks and we raise.
What kind of raise do we have here? A value raise? We would hardly get
any value from a weaker hand. We don't protect as well. It's true that
there are two cards on the board but if villain calls we would give up
the hand anyway.
So it's more a bluff bet even it might get difficult to force out a
better hand, but there is a fair chance if villain holds hands like
KQ/KJ/Kx.
Here, our raise is a mixture between continuation bet which is changed
to an information raise due to the donkbet. Villain can donk with any2,
therefore we want to find out where we stand and will fold when
confronted with resistance.

Hand 2
PartyPoker $25 NL Hold'em (6 handed) HandRecorder v0.9b

Stacks & Stats
MP ($25)
CO ($25)
UTG ($25)
BB ($25)
SB ($25)
Hero ($25)

Preflop: Hero is Button with 3
, 3

UTG raises to $1.00, 2 folds,Hero calls $1.00, SB calls $1.00, BB folds,

Flop: ($3.50) Q
, Q
, 7
(3 players)
SB checks, UTG checks, Hero bets $2.75

Preflop is pretty obvious. Then we clearly miss the board but the SB as
well as the aggressor check to us. We are in position and therefore we
decide for a position bet. It's seldom that someone hits the board and
it's drawless as well. If there will be further action behind us, we
would lay down our hand. The only reason for this bet is to take the
pot immediately and perhaps drive out hands like 44+.

Hand 3
PartyPoker $25 NL Hold'em (6 handed) HandRecorder v0.9b

Stacks & Stats
MP ($25)
CO ($25)
UTG ($25)
BB ($25)
SB ($25)
Hero ($25)

Preflop: Hero is Button with 8
, 8

UTG raises to $1.00, 1 fold, CO calls $1.00,Hero calls $1.00, 2 folds,

Flop: ($3.50) 3
, 6
, 2
(3 players)
UTG bet $2.00, CO calls $2.00, Hero raises to $9.50

In this hand it's a mix between several types of betting. It's possible
that we are ahead but we have to protect our hand. Therefore it is a
value bet as well as a protection bet. Unfortunately we have to fold
when confronted with resistance. Primarily, we want to win this hand
immediately and perhaps force out stronger hands. In addition, we raise
for information in order to learn where we stand with our hand. This
move is also possible with any other hand, of course.

IMPORTANT
Every time you make a bet, you should ask yourself: Which goal do I want to achieve with this bet and is the situation appropriate?

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» Thread: Valuebets, Protection Bets, Bluffbets