In poker, do you know what it means to cold call ?
Cold calling refers to the situation in poker where a player who hasn't invested any chips into the pot chooses to call after an initial bet has been made. raise For instance, consider a scenario where Player A raises from an early position, Player B makes a re-raise from the middle position, and then Player C decides to cold call while in the button position.
Players in the blind positions cannot cold call since they have already committed chips to the pot; they would simply be calling or folding. defending .
Cold calling is typical in low-stakes tournaments In cash games, particularly in $1-$2 no-limit hold’em, cold calling is a frequent occurrence. Picture those moments when a player raises to $6 and suddenly three players opt to stay in without raising. call . They’re cold calling.
Unfortunately, players who frequently engage in cold calling are often viewed as weak and too loose before the flop, making them easy targets for strategic players after the flop. Critics assert that without a solid reason for cold calling, you should either raise or fold instead. poker While it’s wise advice, it's important to note that there are indeed advantageous opportunities for cold calling. When executed with careful thought and a clear rationale, cold calling can serve as a powerful tactic in your poker strategy.
THE ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF COLD CALLING WITH BIG SLICK
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GOOD SPOTS TO COLD CALL
The potential downside of cold calling with a strong hand is that it often leads to a multi-way pot, which can diminish the strength of your hand.
Consequently, cold calling is usually more effective when there is a possibility that players behind you might reopen the betting. Consider a tournament scenario with nine players at a table where the blinds are 500/1,000/100. If an under-the-gun player with a 33,000 stack raises to 2,500 and another player with a 28,000 stack calls, cracked . That’s never good.
you’re in the cutoff position with a stack of 60,000 and holding A♣A♠. Normally, you’d make a raise here, but in certain situations, cold calling could be the more strategic choice. For instance, if the remaining players behind you – sitting on the button and in the blinds – are all short-stacked with 12,000, 10,000, and 9,000 respectively, they may decide to shove with any decent hand.
If that occurs, it sets you up perfectly because the players in between will need to make a choice while you sit back with your strong hand. If they call the shove or re-raise, it will likely work to your advantage since you're holding a premium hand. three-bet Another scenario where cold calling can be warranted is if you're facing two or more aggressive players. If Player A and Player B are known for taking control of the pot and betting large, then simply calling with speculative hands might be the better approach.
For example, imagine in a cash game at $1/$2 that Player A raises to $6 from an early position and Player B bumps it to $15 from a middle position. You look down at a hand like 6♥6♦. Here, cold calling is reasonable, especially if you hit a set on the flop; you’re likely to get paid off pretty well.
Conversely, if you've got a strong hand and are in a position where there's little advantage to cold calling, your best move is to raise. You want to build up the pot at this stage. aggressive players Generally, when you hold a strong hand or are entering a pot in a favorable position, protecting that edge is key. Cold calling usually fails to do that, particularly against straightforward players who tend to stick to conventional play. If you're at a table filled with solid, tight players, cold calling may end up being a losing strategy.
When considering a cold call, it should be approached as an offensive strategy, not a defensive one. Unfortunately, many players mistakenly use cold calling as a defensive maneuver, which is typically not advisable. You might find yourself cold calling with a small pocket pair or suited connectors, hoping merely to hit a favorable flop without any clear plan for when you miss, which happens more often than not. This kind of blind investment is not a sound strategy. three-bet When contemplating a cold call, always evaluate your position. If an opponent raises from an early position and you're next in line holding K♥Q♣, a cold call might not be the best decision, since several players still have the opportunity to act, and facing a three-bet can put you in a tight spot. pocket pair THE ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF COLD CALLING WITH BIG SLICK
THE DON'TS OF COLD CALL POKER
What do you think about a hand like ace-king, often referred to as \"Big Slick?\" Some argue that cold calling with this hand is a poor decision and that you should exclusively raise with such a powerful hand. However, it's worth noting that poker is not black and white; you have flexibility in how you play your hands. stacks are deep Cold calling with Ace-King can be a strategic alternative to raising in specific scenarios. For instance, if you always raise with ace-king, your opponents will catch on - making it easy for them to read you when the flop comes showing an ace.
On the other hand, occasionally cold calling with AK helps to balance your betting repertoire. Opponents will notice that you play a variety of hands, and ace-king becomes just one part of your playing style. So, when an ace lands on the flop or any board like Q♣J♣10♦ comes out, it makes it harder for them to pin you down to holding Big Slick. maniacs Of course, this strategy is contingent on playing against opponents who are observant and capable of strategic thinking. If you're up against less savvy players, you can afford to raise with ace-king every time without worry.
Now, consider being in position with A♥K♠ against a conservative player who raises preflop. You understand that this player is only likely to raise with premium pocket pairs or hands like ace-king and ace-queen. Cold calling here can be a smarter choice, given the risk of facing a four-bet from a stronger hand is significant. trap Let's say the same player holds A♠K♣ and the flop comes A♦7♠5♦. After checking, you just call. When the turn shows a 4♦ and they make another bet, you might decide to raise. Yes, your opponent has a solid hand, but your raise shows tremendous strength. connectors He could potentially fold the same hand or might decide to stay in. If the latter happens, you have the chance to bet again if he checks on the river. If you can induce a mistake from him, that could lead you to gain some free chips!
Typically, the recommendation is to raise with ace-king more often than not. Nevertheless, incorporating cold calling into your strategies serves to keep your opponents guessing.
Chad Holloway is a recipient of a WSOP bracelet from 2013 and has experience working as a managing editor and live reporter for PokerNews.
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