A general rule in poker is that the aggressor typically takes down the pot. The mantra holds true the majority of the time and has led to many chip leads being extended and many pots being won by sheer will and determination. How do you spot a prime opportunity to take down a pot by betting? How do you know when betting won’t land you in hot water? Poker Bonuses will walk you through a few examples.

Opponent Apathy

If you spot your opponents lackadaisically checking around and showing no interest in the pot whatsoever, then betting will most likely win it for you. This might be difficult to determine on the flop, but if there has been very little or no betting for several streets, then taking a shot may prove profitable. Deciding whether or not your opponents hold air or the nuts is ultimately a measure of your ability to read others at the table. Are they staring off into space blankly? Do they look bored when the action checks around to them? Adding up the pieces of the puzzle is the key to discerning whether your opponents are apathetic towards the pot.

Three to a Flush

If three cards of a particular suit are on the board, then this may be a prime opportunity to bet even if you don’t hold a winning hand. For example, if a board shows three hearts and the action checks around to you, then betting out will likely win you the hand in a low-stakes game where play is relatively straightforward. Yes, someone could have checked their flush in an effort to induce a bet, but if you’re playing low-stakes games, my guess is that it didn’t happen. If no one else has bet when the board shows three of a suit, then you have the green light to do so.

Ace-High

Similarly, boards that fall ace-high with little raised pre-flop action can likely be taken advantage of simply by betting. If the flop came A-8-3 and the action checks around to you, then represent the ace by betting. Fire out a healthy pot-sized bet and watch as your opponents fold one by one. You may even force players who limped with hands like pocket deuces and pocket nines to fold in this situation, as they can’t beat the ace you’re representing. You don’t have to have the goods to bet.

Coordinated Cards

Flops like 7-8-9 can also be taken down by betting. Although opponents may simply put you on a straight draw, aggression may ultimately prove to be the difference-maker, as players will likely fold hands like pocket threes and A-Q in order to avoid being put to tough decisions on later streets. Boards like 6-7-9 can also be bet using a similar logic, so don’t be afraid to lead out and see where you stand.

Paint-High

In a similar style to how betting out on an ace-high board can prove to be a winning strategy, getting your chips in on a board with only one paint card (jack, queen, or king) and can also be an optimal play. The logic is the exact same as it was when the board came something like A-5-2. You are representing the highest possible card on the board by betting, so be cognizant of your image on future streets when other cards fall.

Staying aggressive is ultimately a winning strategy in poker, so be wary of prime opportunities the next time you take to the felts. Remember to bet out on boards with three to a flush, coordinated cards, and those that are paint-high and ace-high. Most importantly, recognize when your opponents show a genuine interest in the pot and when they are being overly apathetic.