To Slowplay or Not: to Slowplay in Poker

In contrast to the more popular poker skill that is bluffing, slowplaying does not enjoy the same popularity and focus bluffing has. This is why many poker players are not aware of slowplaying even though it is likely that they have done it at least once in all of the poker games they have played.

Slowplaying is basically the opposite of bluffing. Whereas bluffing denotes the feigning of strength when one is weak, slowplaying is the feigning of weakness when one is strong. The objective of this poker tactic is to lure opponents to bet strongly to make the pot bigger making your deceptively strong hand more profitable.

Although it is in complete contrast with bluffing, slowplaying has something in common with it. Like bluffing, slowplaying must only done be only when certain conditions are met. Here are those guidelines:

The Possession of a Very Strong Hand

Since slowplaying is all about faking weakness to cover strength, then it is imperative that you have a hand that is very likely to be the best among all of the hands at the poker table. How in the world would you feign weakness when you're actually weak?

Free Cards Must Not Improve the Hands of Opponents

Free cards play an important role in this poker tactic. Since free cards may improve the value of the hands of your opponents, you must be wary of them. Free cards are good in the sense that they will encourage your opponents to put more into the pot, making your strong hand all the more profitable.

However, if these free cards will result in your opponents' hands being better than yours then your slowplay has been all for naught. So be mindful of free cards as they are double-edged swords.

Drive Out Opponents or Let Them Stay For a Big Pot

Slowplaying will always result in either your opponents folding out from the game or with them staying on because of the growing pot.

Either way will be to your advantage as them folding will mean greater chances of winning for you while them staying on will ensure that you will profit much from the big pot you have won because of slowplaying.

The Pot Must Not Be Large When One Intends to Slowplay

Having a large pot will result in an ineffective slowplay as opponents are less likely to fold or be trapped by a slowplay when the stakes are high so refrain from using this tactic when the pot is already burgeoning.

As mentioned earlier, slowplaying is much like bluffing in the sense that there are quite a number of situations when these tactics must be done for them to be effective and there are also situations when the said tactics must not be utilized as they will not be successful and can do more harm than good.

Taking note of these guidelines can help in taking advantage of such tactics and in understanding more the nature of poker itself.