Board Perspectives
30 April 2010
No matter how strong your poker pocket cards appear to be, the flop changes everything. If there are callers to the flop, then the online poker board can dramatically affect the outcome of your hand – sometimes smashing a monster like pocket Aces.
As the dealer turns over poker cards, there are certain patterns you should consider before acting:
* How do the board cards relate to your own hand? Have the board cards connected to your pocket cards to improve your hand or to offer a draw to a better hand, like a straight or a flush?
* If the board has not connected with your hand, and you are holding what could be the high pair, then could the board cards still bolster another player’s hand? Is there potential for a flush or straight that has missed your hand but may have hit another player?
* Are there two paired cards on board? This always opens the possibility of hidden full house or quads. If the paired cards don’t improve your hand, then any bet is risky.
* When the board is all raggy cards that are unlikely for anyone to have played pre-flop, do you think a bet can force others to fold? What kind of players are you up against – tight or loose?
* How many outs does the board offer for you to complete a hand, and how do those outs compare in relation to calling a bet? When the outs are a higher ratio, i.e. 8-1, against a board that pays a small ration on the bet, i.e. a call to win 5 bets in the pot, then the board if offering you unfavorable pot odds for calling.
