The Cash Trio

When you’re first to act, keep in mind that you’re really not in control of the hand. Be aware that there is a whole table of poker players behind you who might raise the bet on you.

I can say that I’ve called way too many hands in poor poker position. It’s always a similar situation-I’ll get some marginal hand like Jack-10 suited and I decide it’s worth a $2 blind, so I’ll put my chips in and wait for the flop. The trouble is, if you’re the first to act, the bet is almost never just the blind. Most times there will be someone waiting to raise it up with their hand. Whether they’re bluffing or not, you’re stuck with a marginal hand that you’ve got a stake in. Marginal hands are almost always worth a blind, but not much more than that.

If you’re playing at a table with timid opponents in casino games, it will work more often if you want to “pay to see the flop”. Most times, throwing a blind away if you don’t hit the flop won’t kill you. If you’re at a table with some people who like to raise and you’re first to act, don’t limp in-if the hand isn’t good enough to bet double or triple the blind, it’ not god enough to play.