Texas Hold'em Poker Guide
Slow playing is a popular strategy amongst advanced Texas Holdem players. This strategy is used when a player has a very strong hand. In order to keep other players in the game and adding money to the pot, the player plays as though his strong hand was only mediocre.
Instead of raising, a slow playing Holdem player may check when nobody else bets or simply call when another player bets. This strategy sounds easy enough, in theory. However, several things have to be taken into consideration or a slow playing strategy can backfire.
In order for the strategy to be a success, a player should slow play only when the following criteria apply:
- The players hand is very strong and betting or raising will drive other players to fold
- There is a very low chance that the next community card dealt will give another player a better hand than yours
- There is a very good chance that the next community card dealt will give another player a hand that is very good, but still worth less than your hand
- There is not a huge amount of money in the pot
For instance, you don't want to slow play if you are holding an Ace and Queen and the Flop is Ace, Queen and 10. The reason is that, while you have 2 pairs that may turn into a full house as more cards are dealt, there is a good chance that another player has cards in the hole that will give them a straight during one of the next rounds. Therefore, it's better to skip the slow playing and raise to possibly get this player to fold before the Turn or the River.
Slow playing can be a very effective strategy. However, it is important to take all the factors into consideration and follow the rules outlined here if you really want your slow playing to be a success.