Concepts: Slowplay - Trapping Your Opponents

Introduction

In this article

• Protection is more important than slowplay
  
• Only slowplay when it brings you more value
  
• Using slowplay to induce bluffs and overcalls
  

When you slowplay, you check and/or call with a strong hand in order to hide its strength and bet/raise on a later street. The idea behind slowplay: You hide the strength of your hand in order to make your opponent think his weaker hand is better than yours when he would most likely to fold to a raise.

You get less money into the pot at the beginning of the hand (usually on the flop) by playing passively, but expect to 'make up for it' on later streets.

This article will cover slowplay in multiway pots. When it comes to heads up play, slowplay takes on a completely different nature. Of course, it can be good to 'delay' your raises in heads up play, but this isn't the same as slowplaying in a multiway pot, which is why we will not use any heads up examples in this article.

Most players tend to hit a 'slowplaying phase' after having gotten used to the general flow of the game. They try to keep their opponents in the pot in order to pull a trick on the turn or river. Most players are so impressed by their ability to outfox an opponent that they oversee the fact that they would have gotten more value had they played straightforwardly, and that they risk losing the pot by not protecting their hand.

PokerStrategy teaches its members to play tight, aggressive poker. This leaves little room for slowplay. The fact is that you usually get better results by playing straightforwardly than by slowplaying.

Still, there are situations in which slowplaying gives you the highest EV, and it's important to be able to recognize these situations in order to maximize your winnings. This article will show you when and when not to slowplay.

When shouldn't you slowplay?

In order to give you a feeling for the spots in which you can slowplay, we will begin by showing you a few spots in which you shouldn't slowplay. There are generally two reasons not to slowplay.

You should not slowplay when either of the following is the case:

• You would be missing out on value. You may have reason to believe that you can get more value by raising now than by waiting to raise on a later street.
• You can and should protect your hand. Any time there is a need to protect your hand against a draw and you can do so, protect!

BU: 40 / 20 / 1 / 45 (Vpip / PFR / AF / WTS)
BB: Calling station
SB: Very aggressive

Pre-flop: Hero is MP with JJ
Hero raises, 1 folds, BU 3-bets, SB caps, BB calls, Hero calls.

Flop:(16 SB) 2, 6, J
SB bets, BB calls, Hero raises

You've flopped the nuts and your opponents will rarely have more than two outs against you (overpair), since the flop is extremely dry. Your opponents will most likely be drawing dead against you. This looks like a great spot to slowplay, since you clearly don't need to protect your hand.

Still, raising the flop is the correct move. Simply calling would be missing out on value. The BB (a calling station) already called a bet on the flop and will certainly want to see the turn. The BU behind you is sure to have two overcards or a pair after having 3-bet before the flop. He won't be folding either of those hands to a raise that gives him 10:1 odds.

The SB showed a lot of strength before the flop and is very aggressive. He will usually 3-bet your raise. This builds up the pot and gives you the opportunity to cap and get the most out of all your opponents on the flop.

Raising will not push your opponents out of the hand, but rather keep them in the hand while building up the pot. They will be getting such good odds on the turn, that they will want to stay in with marginal hands and/or think they could still catch outs.

One of your opponents will probably bet or raise on the turn, which gives you another chance to get a lot of money into the pot.

Protecting is usually more important when the pot is already rather large. It's usually better to simply call or try to induce a bluff in small, unraised pots, which is a type of slowplay. You can learn more in this article: How do You Play for Unraised Pots?

You can also lose value when your opponents suspect that you are slowplaying. This often happens when facing good opponents that are familiar with your lines. They could, for example, limit your range to very strong hands after you call on the flop, since they know you would raise the flop with a draw or middle pair and fold any other hand. Of course, opponents won't think you are slowplaying every time you call on the flop, but your raise on the turn will usually give it away. This often results in lost value, as you could have induced a re-raise with a raise on the flop.

You shouldn't slowplay in spots, in which your range is not balanced, when facing attentive opponents that are able to make good reads.

SB: Donkey
BB: good LAG

Pre-flop: Hero is BU with A9
2 folds, Hero raises, SB calls, BB 3-bets, Hero calls, SB calls.

Flop:(9 SB) T, 9, 9
SB bets, BB raises, Hero 3-bets

You can't really protect with a 3-bet, since the SB would be getting 9:1 odds and can profitably call with gutshots and overcard + backdoor draws. This could be a spot for a cold call and raise on the turn.

A cold call on the flop, however, would set off the BB's alarm. He knows that you would 3-bet any T or strong draw and don't have the right odds to call with a weak draw. Your range for cold calling is not balanced. He will easily be able to put you on a monster and will slow down on the turn. He might even be able to make a tough lay down with a hand that he would called you down with had you 3-bet.

Pre-flop: Hero is BB with T8
MP calls, CO calls, 2 folds, SB raises, Hero calls, MP calls, CO calls.

Flop:(8 SB) T, 7, 8
SB bets, Hero raises

Protection means betting/raising to force weaker hands that could still hit outs out of the pot. It also means making your opponent make an incorrect call with his draw by not give him the right odds (essentially putting him into a situation in which he cannot play profitably). Either he folds and gives up his share of the pot (pot equity), or he makes a mathematically incorrect call that is -EV. Learn more in the article on Protection.

In this example, you have two opponents behind you with a number of hands in their ranges that have outs against your two pair. Tx and 8x hands will usually have 5 outs, gutshots 4. They would be getting 1:10/1:11 odds to call, which is enough to profitably stay in the hand with 3-5 outs (and implied odds). When you raise, they are only getting 2:11 = 1:5.5/2:12 = 1:6 odds, which aren't enough for a call.

You won't be able to give an opponent with a strong draw (OESD) incorrect odds, but you can at least make him pay twice for his draw.

Another advantage of raising is that it shows less strength than call flop, raise turn. You would raise the flop with a hand like middle pair, too, which will make opponents more likely to re-raise you with weaker hands and allows you to win an even larger pot.

When should you slowplay?

So far we have shown you a number of reasons why it often better to play straightforwardly instead of slowplaying. So when does slowplay promise a higher EV than a direct raise?

To put it short: When neither of the two criteria for a direct raise are fulfilled. We can therefore define the criteria for slowplaying as:

• 1: You don't need to (or cannot) protect your hand.
• And 2: Calling promises more value than a direct raise.

Only slowplay when BOTH of these criteria are fulfilled!

This can be the case when you flop an (almost) unbeatable hand on the flop.

Pre-flop: Hero is BU with TT
3 folds, Hero raises, SB calls, BB calls.

Flop:(6 SB) 5, 5, T
SB checks, BB bets, Hero?

In this example, your opponents will basically be drawing dead and there is no real need to protect your hand. (Which doesn't mean that our second criterion is fulfilled and that you should slowplay!)

A lot of people think you need a monster (trips or better) to slowplay, but this is not true. Slowplay can be the best option in some spots, even when you have a weaker hand.

You have to decide whether or not you need to protect a hand based on the board and the outs opponents could have (based on their ranges). Opponents will often not have the right odds to call a bet when the pot is small (and are basically playing for the wrong odds before you even raise).

Pre-flop: Hero is BU with QQ
3 folds, Hero raises, SB calls, BB calls.

Flop:(6 SB) 5, 5, T
SB checks, BB bets, Hero?

You could confront the SB with two bets and protect your hand in this example, but after taking a closer look you should realize that this is not necessary. AK will rarely be in the SB's range, which means he probably has a pocket pair or a T with a kicker smaller than the Q (2 outs), an overcard (3 outs) or an even weaker hand with 0-1.25 outs (backdoor draws).

By simply calling, your opponent will be getting 1:8 odds to call. He can't call profitably with these hands. You would definitely like to see him make an incorrect call and stay in the hand. Raising would only give him even worse odds and probably push him out of the pot. This is an example of a spot, in which you can slowplay even though you don't have the absolute nuts. Note: This doesn't automatically mean that calling promises more value than raising.

Example: The SB is a calling station and hardly ever folds on the flop. The BB is a maniac. Simply calling would mean missing out on a lot of value, since the SB will cold call two bets with weak hands and the BB will probably build up the pot even more with a re-raise on the flop.

Counter-example: You have the following read on the BB: rarely 3-bets, calls down after encountering opposition, doesn't check with initiative. SB: Semi-fish.

The read on the BB may sound a bit made up, but you will find quite a few opponents of this type - donk/calldown. The SB would probably call a bet, but fold if you raise (which isn't what you want to see). The BB would simply call down after you raise (with a T or pocket pair), whereas he would bet the turn if you call (and then call you down). You can clearly see that slowplay promises the highest EV against these two opponents.

So far we have only looked at examples in which you have opponents behind you that you could confront with a second bet by raising. How important is protection when you are in position?

When you are last to act in a 3+ handed pot, you can't really confront your opponents by betting. Your next opponent would be getting 1:10 odds for a call on the flop in a raised 3 handed pot.

Pre-flop: Hero is BU with TT
3 folds, Hero raises, SB calls, BB calls.

Flop:(6 SB) 5, 5, 8
SB bets, BB calls, Hero raises, SB gets 1:11 to call.

Your opponent can profitably call with any 4 outer or better (knowing that the BB will almost always call, too and that he has good implied odds).

You can't protect your hand, which means the first criterion for slowplay is fulfilled. Raising does, however, give the SB the chance to 3-bet, which, in turn, does allow you to protect.

Flop:(6 SB) 5, 5, 8
SB bets, BB calls, Hero raises, SB 3-bets, BB gets 13:2 = 7.5:1 to call.

Your opponent will have a hard time calling with a gutshot given the odds. He could also fold a 5 or 6 outer (incorrectly!), out of fear that he is drawing dead and about to enter a raise war.

You can raise and hope to see a 3-bet when you have a read on an opponent who often 3-bets with weak hands oop after having donked. This allows you to protect through your opponent's 3-bet.

You should look at more than just the strength of your hand. Try to estimate your opponents' ranges and compare them to the board to determine whether or not they are likely to have many outs against you and if you can protect your hand by giving them incorrect odds to call with a draw/forcing them to fold a draw incorrectly. Remember, the larger the pot, the more you should focus on protection and forcing opponents out of the hand.

Once you've determined that there is no need or possibility to protect, you need to determine whether or not you will be able to make up for the value you miss out on by not betting the flop.

Any time you are trying to keep your opponents in the hand, you should ask yourself if they would also stay in for two bets. If so, you're almost always better off raising than simply calling.

The opponents have already called one bet by the time it's your turn when you are last to act, which means you will hardly ever get them to fold to a single raise. Slowplaying is rarely suitable when you are last to act! You should take advantage of the chance to bind your opponents to the pot (and hope for a 3-bet).

You should only call when you have reason to believe that the opponents behind you would fold to two bets, but call for one.

This is an example of how you can win more by slowplaying. Your opponents could also hit 2nd or 3rd best hand on the turn and invest even more, which you would be all too happy to see. A direct raise would have only pushed them out of the pot.

You'll have to judge the probability of an opponent calling 1 or 2 bets based on the board and his playing style. Calling stations and opponents with a high WTS are more likely to call two bets with marginal hands. A direct raise is better on boards that give the opponents behind out outs for backdoor draws and overcards.

Tighter opponents will rarely call two bets on a dry board with a high card, but will stay in the hand for one bet when they have an overcard. This is the type of situation in which slowplay would be better.

We showed you an example in which you would miss out on value by slowplaying at the beginning of this article. You were last to act and wouldn't have forced any opponents to fold with a raise. We will now look at a few examples in which you have opponents behind you.

BB: LAG
SB: Calling station

Pre-flop: Hero is BU with 77
3 folds, Hero raises, SB calls, BB calls.

Flop:(6 SB) 7, 3, 3
SB checks, BB bets, Hero raises, SB calls

The SB will rarely have outs against you - 2 at the most, if any. You would like to see him stay in the hand and hit 2nd best on the turn. There is also no need to protect your hand. Still, this is not a good spot to slowplay, since the SB would probably call two bets with overcards and a club. The BB, a LAG, will usually 3-bet, which gives you even more value.

A call on the flop would be better if the SB weren't a calling station, since he would then be more likely to stay in the hand for one bet, but not for two.

BB: somewhat passive
BU: moderate tight

Pre-flop: Hero is CO with JJ
2 folds, Hero raises, BU calls, BB calls.

Flop:(6 SB) J, 2, 6
BB bets, Hero?

A lot of players would raise on this board. This, however, is a good spot for slowplay. There is absolutely no need to protect your hand and the opponent behind you will rarely have a gutshot and all pairs are basically drawing dead.

You can't protect against a flush draw by raising. Your opponent will always be able to call with the right odds. You can try to induce an overcall and keep him paying all the way to the river.

You can do this if you wait for the turn to raise. The passive BB will usually call a flop raise down, but bet the turn if you call. Slowplay promises the highest EV.

When aren't last to act, you are trying to induce an overcall with your slowplay. This means you call in order to induce a call from the opponent behind you. This move is often used on the river when you aren't sure if you are ahead. You can read more in the article on Overcalls.

Slowplay is a matter of calling on the flop and turn. The next two examples will show you how to call for an overcall on the flop and turn.

Pre-flop: Hero is BB with 79
2 folds, CO calls, BU calls, SB calls, Hero checks.

Flop:(4 SB) 5, 8, 2
SB checks, Hero checks, CO checks, BU checks.

Turn:(2 SB) 6
SB bets, Hero calls

Your opponents will usually all be drawing dead against you and will rarely have a hand strong enough to call a raise with, which is why you call to induce overcalls from the players behind you.

Pre-flop: Hero is SB with KK
2 folds, CO calls, BU calls, Hero raises, BB calls, CO calls, BU calls.

Flop:(8 SB) 3, 8, K
Hero bets, BB calls, CO calls, BU raises, Hero calls, BB calls, CO calls

Turn:(8 BB) 6
Hero donks

You are miles ahead and don't need to worry about protection. You call on the flop, because the BB and CO probably have weak hands (pair or A high), with which they would call one bet, but fold to two. You basically have to donk on the turn to trap the opponents between you and the flop aggressor and keep them in the hand. This is referred to as "stop and go" play.

We already mentioned how you can lose value by slowplaying and giving away your monster hand. You should play your monsters the same way you play weak made hands and draws (at least against good opponents). A lot of TAGs will put you on a weak hand after what looks like a protection raise. They will then put up a fight thinking they are either ahead or can bluff you out of the hand.

You can take advantage of this by balancing your otherwise poorly balanced lines with slowplay.

SB: TAG
BB: Fish

Pre-flop: Hero is BU with AT
2 folds, Hero raises, SB 3-bets, BB calls, Hero calls.

Flop:(9 SB) T, 3, 5
SB bets, BB calls, Hero calls, in order to raise on turn.

You are favored to win against both opponents on the flop. You would generally call with overcards and backdoor + overcard draws and raise with top pair or better. Your call will make your opponent think you have a weak hand and he will probably bet the turn with most of the hands in his range. There is also no need to protect, since it is impossible to do so. Balancing your weak flop calls by slowplaying a monster will make it more difficult for opponents to get a good read on you when you call the flop in the future.

Slowplay is particularly effective when the aggressor is most likely bluffing. These are hands he will most likely fold to a re-raise, but continue to invest with after a call.

EXAMPLE

Read on BB: Donk = Bluff

Pre-flop: Hero is BU with AK
2 folds, Hero raises, SB calls, BB calls.

Flop:(9 SB) K, 8, 4
SB checks, BB bets, Hero calls

The opponent behind you will rarely have many outs against you (you have the only overcard dominated, too). You would like to see him stay in the hand, since he will not be getting the right odds to call. The SB would probably fold to a flop raise, since his donk is probably a bluff. You maximize your value by slowplaying and allowing the SB to continue bluffing (and hoping that the BB makes an incorrect call).

Conclusion

Part of being a tight, aggressive player is playing straightforwardly. This article should have shown you why this is usually the best way to play: It gives you the best combination of value bet + protection.

There are, of course, spots in which slowplay promises higher EV than a direct raise (often when protection is not necessary). You can increase your win rate if you learn to incorporate slowplay into your repertoire correctly (but could miss out on a lot of value or even lose to a draw if you slowplay in the wrong spots).

Find out how much you've learned by reading this article: Take the quiz on slowplay

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