No Raise'em Hold'em

Regular readers of my articles on this website know I am an aggressive poker player. I like the power of a raise and often use it in a game, whether it's cash or tournament.

The power of the raise is unquestionable. While it works better on some tables than others, it will usually give you an edge in the average poker game.

But there are games when the raise might be over-rated. And that is where playing no raise'em hold'em might be the most profitable route.

Every now and then, I will enter a casino and play no raise'em hold'em.

It simply means I will leave the raising to the other players. Naturally if they raise and I happen to have pocket aces or kings, a re-raise would be in order and I will usually make it. But sometimes for the sake of deception, I will just call.

No Raise'em Hold'em helps you set up the other players for a powerful check-raise on fourth street or the river.

For one thing, it's like changing gears, a strategy Doyle 'Texas Dolly' Brunson advocates in all of his books. Changing gears simply means changing the way you play. It throws off the other players who are used to seeing you play a certain way, and it almost always results in adding dollars to your bankroll.

When you raises a pot on, say, A-K or A-Q and the flop comes 7-8-2 and you have four callers, what do you do? Do you make a continuation bet or do you check along with the other players?

By simply calling with that A-K, you give yourself more leeway and more power. You can determine by the way the other players act whether they have something or not. This works especially well if you are the last person to act.

So when you play no raise'em hold'em, also use the power of position as one of your tools. It will save your chips for key plays and will allow you to play a more relaxed game.

The most powerful part of no raise'em hold'em is deception. Poker is a game of deception, real and implied. Poker players are very attentive to the actions of their opposition. It isn't just what you are holding that determines the outcome of a hand -- it's what the other players think you have.

If you have been an aggressive player who raises with good hands, try playing differently the next time you visit your favorite casino. It will broaden your game and make you more unpredictable. That, of course, is what poker is all about.

I know Doyle Brunson will probably disagree with me on this strategy, and that's fine. I respect Doyle and always admire the way he plays. But he has his ways and I have mine. You should develop your ways as well. Be a creative poker player. It will keep you thinking young and it won't harm your bankroll one bit.

Author: Geno Lawrenzi Jr.

(Geno Lawrenzi Jr. is an international journalist, magazine author and ghostwriter and poker player who lives in Phoenx, AZ. He has published 2,000 articles in 50 magazines and 125 newspapers. If you want to share a gambling story or book idea with him, send an email to glawrenzi@gmail.com ).