The Mad Russian

[LombardiStix]

TEDDY: This son of bitch -- all night, he check check check. He trapped me!




Ok... So I've identified a weakness in my SNG game. I check the damn river too often on my big hands in hopes of getting a bet for me to raise. As a result I feel like I'm getting a lot less than I could be getting out of my opponent. I think this is left over from me playing lower stakes and then moving up to higher stakes games where the players aren't so quick to try and steal. ORR maybe my play is a bit too transparent and they have figured me for a big one before we get to the river.

Help me out, do you have the same problem? Or do you think its not a problem at all? Whatcha think?

[PokerJonny]

I think you need to give some hand examples.

In certain situations I like to check the river with what I think is the best hand to try to induce a bluff from someone on a busted draw who would otherwise fold to my river bet.

In other situations I will bet the river for value.


So its difficult to answer your question without some specific situations - what do you define as a big hand? and what hand do you think your opponent has?

[LombardiStix]

It is an open ended strategy question, not a specific hand question. That's why I put it here not Poker Hands.

[GOIVIT]

For me it is more of when in the sng we are. If small blinds I will do as you did and check to induce a bet but later in the game nobody sees my cards without paying for them. I rarely check late in the game. They fold fine if not I get a bigger pot.

[cool2k9]

its a really cool Rounders movie line you have choosen. the way Matt Damon irritates Teddy KGB at the end was worth the money. yes i myself am guilty of checking the river too often either to check raise to get more money or I am afraid of value betting as my opponent can come over the top and I might have to fold. betting and that too the right amount on the river is one of the toughest art in poker. well i guess i need to practice more and try to assimilate my learning together from the experience of the various hands played.

[hojediade]

The fact is that you must have a read on your opponent to check the river, when you think you got the nuts, nor you'd better bet it.
May your "weakness" become a strenght.