by John Splash
You need to know how many chips everyone has at the table to make good decisions in no limit holdem. Let’s list a few hands that show why stack size needs to be in your thought process. Then, I think you will agree that stack size is key.
Here is a very simple example of where stack size affects a decision. The game is NL $1/$2. You are in the small blind and everyone has folded. You have $500 and your hand is 44. If the big blind has only $25 in his stack, you could just push all in. You could even bet $8 or $10 planning to play to the end. This would surely be profitable.
Let’s say the big blind has $500. Now, the all in play doesn’t look so good. You will win the $3 a lot, but will get crushed when you are called. You don’t make enough $3 hands to cover the $500 loss when it happens.
How about this. Would you put $100k in there for the $3. If the only hand that calls you is A,A (1/220 times), this is what happens. You win three dollars 219 times and then, bam, you go broke.
If you could convince the guy with a $25 stack to only play A,A you can push all in and make money consistently. You will show a nice profit even without ever winning when he has A,A.
Now, let’s say you have 3,3 with $500. The blinds are $1/$2 and you limp in. The BB raises to $10. Depending on his stack you could call, fold, or raise.
Against his $15 chip stack you could argue for any option. So, now you go by what you know of this players game, to determine a move. With $40 you can fold pretty easily.
You only get your three of a kind 12.5% of the time and the max payout is only five times if you can even get an all in call. A $500 stack means you need to call or maybe even raise. With either play you can get enough value from the hand when it goes right.
6,7 suited is a hand that you should play when everyone has a lot of chips. There is plenty of money availiable to get big profits when you catch a monster. When no one has very many chips, you can’t make enough money when you hit the hand.
With A,A or K,K you will find yourself in some difficult situations when players have lots of cash. It’s very hard to know if these pairs are still good, so you will find yourself paying off people who hit the flop.
When stacks are short, you can play these hands all the way. You won’t be risking a huge chipstack with just a pair. Often the preflop bets will get you all in or to a point where you can push after the flop. So, this is an easier situation for playing with big pairs.
When everyone has radically different stack sizes this can get complex. Regardless, when you want to bet, you have to consider the stack size of each player involved.
About the Author:
Poker software is being used heavily by online players.these poker programs are helping players beat their opponents.You can get ahead of the game with these helpful aids.. Check out or directory.
Poker cheat software
Poker tracking software