Representing the Ace against the habitual c-bettor
01-16-2007
Gregg “Bunky” Williams
Editors note: c-bet = continuation bet
Here's a little devil's advocate type post for the defending the checkraiser when in fact we'll take the check raiser side of things here.
This play works pretty well against the thinking player and it involves a cute little play, the flop checkraise OOP and the raise in position.
Now, you can make the raise either minimum or you can make it a bit more (If they bet say 20 on the flop as a c-bet a nice raise amount would be to 50) Its pretty much like a minraise, does the same effect, but its a bit disguised as a feeler raise. It looks more like a value raise).
It works when you float someone in position and you feel they have been c-betting light. Now you can pretty much have whatever hand you floated with if they are a habitual c-bettor. All you need to do in position is to raise the flop in position. It helps if you have some sort of an out, but on occasion air is fine with the right read. Lets give an example.
MP raises pot sized and he tends to c-bet half to 2/3 pot after the flop regardless of what falls. You float on the button with 68s. Everyone else folds and the flop comes....
As 9c 5d
and the PFR bets half pot. Here's a nice spot to raise with an out.
Note you only have a backdoor FD and a gutshot, but you can't just call c-bets alot of the time and allow them to fire away. Your raise after his c-bet could very well if they are a tightish player make them fold JJ, TT or if they are super tight KK or a weak ace. (ive seen it done). Note you are representing at least a medium ace and could be representing more. Its a play that you don't want to overuse, but taking one pot like this an hour at the right time will greatly increase your hourly rate. A lot of times you catch the c-bettor out of line and they pretty much have to lay the hand down.
When out of position its a tougher play but sometimes you have to sack up and put a play on a weaker player. I mean, they don't have it every time and you can't just continue to fold away. If you have the tight solid image, pop this c/r one in a while (even once every couple hours) and watch the success rate in which it works. You have to have some very good circumstances and a very good read, but it can and does work. Its just more risky OOP because your likely not to get a free card if the call and you check the turn. In position you can always take the free card in position to spike a miracle and when you do, you are very likely to get paid huge.
Like I said before, its not a play to overuse. Its better to have a tight image when you make this play as its more likely they'll fold. You really don't want to get called here but that's pretty obvious.
Waiting for the nuts all the time can get old and can not get you payed off. This is a nice changeup play for the very tight player as it has a very high success rate.
