Post by Frank on Nov 21, 2020 0:43:31 GMT
The free card play was not free in the days of limit poker (which, I know are still here), but it was a way to see the turn and the river at a reduced price over betting the flop and then betting or calling the turn. In limit poker, you would need to be in position to the pre-flop raiser who you expect to bet on the flop and then bet on the turn if you call the flop bet. This is a good play for hands that have significant equity to a nuttish hand but only if they will still be in the pot for both the turn or the river. Examples are open-end straight draws which have about 32% equity if they see both remaining streets or a flush draw that has about 36% equity if they see both cards.
The play is made by Hero who is an in position pre-flop caller after the out of position pre-flop raiser bets the flop. Villain can only bet the size of the big blind, that is why it is called limit. Now Hero can call, raise or fold. If he raises, he takes the initiative from the pre-flop raiser. He can only raise to double the big blind.
Now if Villain checks the turn expecting Hero to bet, Hero can check to see the river for "free." Of course he paid the extra big blind for a total of 2BB. Compare that to calling 1BB on the flop and then 2BB which is the minimum bet on the turn and river. That 2BB is called the "Big Bet" in limit Hold 'em.
In no-limit, the same principle can be applied. If Villain bets half the pot, say 5BB into 10BB, Hero could call that 5BB and likely face another half pot bet on the turn, this time 10BB. A total of 15BB to see turn and river. Or, he could minraise to 10BB, taking the initiative from Villain who will often check the turn to give Hero a chance to bet. It isn't "free," so perhaps it should be called the discount card play. The math is correct as you are raising 10BB into a 15BB pot (after Villain's bet), which is 2/3 pot for a 2:1 payoff odd for a 2:1 odds against winning. The slightest fold equity or implied odds makes this play profitable in the long run.
The play is made by Hero who is an in position pre-flop caller after the out of position pre-flop raiser bets the flop. Villain can only bet the size of the big blind, that is why it is called limit. Now Hero can call, raise or fold. If he raises, he takes the initiative from the pre-flop raiser. He can only raise to double the big blind.
Now if Villain checks the turn expecting Hero to bet, Hero can check to see the river for "free." Of course he paid the extra big blind for a total of 2BB. Compare that to calling 1BB on the flop and then 2BB which is the minimum bet on the turn and river. That 2BB is called the "Big Bet" in limit Hold 'em.
In no-limit, the same principle can be applied. If Villain bets half the pot, say 5BB into 10BB, Hero could call that 5BB and likely face another half pot bet on the turn, this time 10BB. A total of 15BB to see turn and river. Or, he could minraise to 10BB, taking the initiative from Villain who will often check the turn to give Hero a chance to bet. It isn't "free," so perhaps it should be called the discount card play. The math is correct as you are raising 10BB into a 15BB pot (after Villain's bet), which is 2/3 pot for a 2:1 payoff odd for a 2:1 odds against winning. The slightest fold equity or implied odds makes this play profitable in the long run.