Why We play Second Rate Hands – Online Poker

Monday, May 31, 2010

by BetUS.com

Anybody who has played online poker for an extended period of time knows when they’re beat.

There’s an obvious flush possibility on the table with a tight player poker betting into the pot and you’re stuck holding trips eights.

It’s only human nature to want to see if the other player really has the nuts, but most players know – whether they’re successful or not – that the three 8’s should be laid down in this situation. So why is it that some players are still willing to play a second rate hand?

Well it all comes down to basic psychology, really.

While a good player who just wants to win is willing to lay their hand down, the bad player is more intrigued by seeing what the other player has.

Sure they may go to the river under the disguise of letting other players know that they won’t be bullied at the table, but in reality, they just want to see the opponent’s cards. And the 3 out of 10 times a bad player wins in these situations is all the more reason to keep playing second rate hands when beat.

In a sense, this is why many players talk about how being dealt K-Q is worse than being dealt 2-7. At least with 2-7, you know you’ve got a garbage hand that should be mucked. On the other hand, having K-Q is a lot tougher to play – especially when the board reads A-K-5.

In the end, your success rate will be largely measured by how you choose to play second rate hands in losing situations. Sure it may be satisfying to see if an opponent is bluffing, but you’ll be better off folding whenever you think you’re beat.

As tough as it sounds, get into the habit of folding marginal hands.

In the short term, it can be frustrating, but overall it will save you a lot of unnecessary cash.

Related Articles

• Play Online Poker: Get A Bigger Bonus With Bodog Poker!
• 2011 World Series of Poker: The Main Event Is Here
• Iowa Senate Passes Bill to Study Online Poker
• Bodog Offers Special Semifinals For $100,000 Guaranteed Sunday
• Online Poker Promos to Take Advantage of This Weekend

Category

• Poker Articles

Tags

online poker - poker betting