Pot odds are the odds equal the ratio of the pot size to the size of the bet youmust call. To determine the ratio between the pot and bet size, take the sum of all the betsanspreads for the pot and multiply it by the number of players in the pot.
For example, if there are $40 in the pot and one of the players bets $10 and two other players calls his bet, there will be $50 in the pot after the flop. The player with $10 bets again on the turn while the other two players call. This leads to $60 in the pot after the turn. The players continue with $10 bets on the river while two players call. There is $20 in the pot at this stage. You are the first to act so you bet $10. The other two players check.
You may call the bet on the river provided no one else bets after you. All the players check the turn and the river bet. There is $40 in the pot at this stage. You are the favorite to win so you bet $10. The other two players consider and bet. You call. The pot is now $50. You check on the river while the other two players check behind you. You are the favorite to win again so you bet $15. They are not willing to raise you because they don’t know you. They are also not willing to give you the blinds anymore because the game is no longer in their favour with two players remaining. You raise to $30. They call. You have $90 in front of you.
The flop brings a fop of Qh-3h-2s. You check and two players opt to bet while the other two check. You are the favorite to win. You decide to bet $30. The other two players follow. There is $20 in the pot. You have great position so you bet $30, knowing that if you hit you will have $100 more in the pot. The players do not raise you. They check. You check. On the turn, the same thing happens. The players do not raise you. They check behind you. You bet $50, knowing that if you hit you will have $150 in the pot. The players do not call. They do not believe you. Maybe they are waiting for the A-A. You have to bet $60 to make your opponents raise. If you have already made your hand, you can check hoping they will raise you as well. This way you will get more money in the pot. This is basic 7meter. However, it is not generalized. You have to adapt your strategy to different opponents. Playing against aggressive players you have to bet aggressively. If your bets are called, you can semi-bluff. If you have no cards after the turn but you have a good drawing hand, you can bet aggressively.
The fifth of the seven tips to apply is to act without the most of the players when you are in position. This gives you a great opportunity to trap the player or players that you want to protect your hand.
No matter what cards you have, you should raise when you are first to act. If you have top pair, top kicker you must raise. You must press the bet putting the pressure on your opponents. When you see weak cards in front of you, you must consider folding.
When you play tournament poker, you must remember that it is a limit game. When you have a limited stack, sometimes you cannot play with the best hand. You will have to accept this.Besides, when you are entering the final payouts, the last thing that you want is a raise after the third or fourth street. Nobody wants to be raised in these situations!
Do not worry if you get a nickname at the table or you do not get a bye to the money. Nobody has the time to get out of hand. Try not to be too excited and relax. Play with a calm mind and you will be a winner.
