Being sure of your abilities is a good trait when it comes to poker players, but overconfidence can lead to unfavorable outcomes. At one point or another, most poker players placed bets on weak hands, without thinking about the consequences. And while it is not as crucial when you play a poker game online for free, things can get more serious when there is actual money on the line.
Defending a weak hand might not be ideal for newbies and seasoned players alike – but fortunately, it is not the end of the world. If you follow a few simple rules, you might get yourself out of any bind with minimal risk. Are you ready to play online poker for fun and win some cash in the process?
Defending with Weak Hands: What to Do
Imagine you get mediocre hole cards, but you decide to stay in the game anyway, defending your big blind only for the flop to diminish the value of your hand even further. Should you panic? Or is there something you can do to protect your reputation and your pile of chips?
Here are a few things you should always keep in mind when you have a weak hand post-flop:
- You can always backtrack – The fact that you've called or raised once doesn't mean you have to keep repeating the same behavioral patterns if it doesn't benefit you.
Some people might feel obligated to prove a point when they decide to bet on a weak hand, but they end up putting too much pressure on themselves, which can lead to bad decision-making.
Remember that each street can affect your strategy differently, and you should take into account all the information before you decide on your next move. Sometimes, folding is simply the right way to go! - Don't over-bluff – Sometimes, when players feel vulnerable, they tend to overcompensate and try to look more intimidating than they are. Like miniature chihuahuas who bark endlessly to look formidable, players might find themselves bluffing constantly just to create the impression they are strong players.
But in reality, if you are caught bluffing too often, your opponents can use it against you by calling light. At the end of the day, it means you will lose your credibility at the table. - Don't fold too often on the river – If you decide to stick with your hand even if it is not spectacular, avoid making common mistakes like folding fairly often on the river as you play online poker card games.
By doing that, you could affect your calling ranges, which is not a desirable outcome. Instead, you should either slow-play stronger hands or call down more often.
That way, even if you sometimes lose after folding on the river, you will make up for it rather efficiently!
In Conclusion
Even the most experienced players can get sucked into certain situations where they are forced to make tough decisions. Whenever you find yourself defending a weak hand, you need to stop and think: what is your best option? Should you stick with your initial decision? Or should you change course immediately?
Remember that you should always remain level-headed and make calculated decisions at the tables, so take your time and don't stick to bad hands unnecessarily.