In my recent poker strategy article, Slowplaying, I emphasize how much a failure to build the pot can cost you when you slowplay a huge hand in NLHE. One of the exceptions I discuss is when you have an aggressive opponent who may help you to build the pot:
PokerStars No-Limit Hold’em, $10 BB (9 handed) Hand History converter Courtesy of PokerZion.com
Hero ($1000)
SB ($991.70)
BB ($452.75)
UTG ($1728.50)
UTG+1 ($1187)
MP1 ($1384)
MP2 ($2107.50)
MP3 ($1040)
CO ($1110)
Preflop: Hero is Button with 9d, 9s.
4 folds, MP3 raises to $25, CO calls $25, Hero calls $25, 2 folds.
Flop: ($90) 9h, 4s, 2h (3 players)
MP3 checks, CO checks, Hero checks.
Turn: ($90) Th (3 players)
MP3 bets $65.25, CO folds, Hero raises to $222, MP3 raises to $508.75, Hero raises to $975, MP3 folds.
Final Pot: $1573.75
It’s also important to note how unlikely a second-best hand is on the flop. This is a great spot to stab at the pot as a bluff or for protection with a vulnerable pair (which I may end up turning into a bluff if called), precisely because it’s unlikely either opponent can call three big bets.
Although there are some draws, the low straight is unlikely, and flushes are discounted since neither player bet. The pre-flop raiser in particular can be expected to continuation bet a flush draw almost always, so when he bets the turn I think it’s far more likely he turned a flush draw than a flush. Even when he reps it hard, I don’t give him credit, and sure enough he seems like he didn’t even have the draw.