String bet? - Beginning Poker Questions

Two Plus Two Forums Poker Strategy Beginners and General Questions

String bet?

Post Reply Subscribe

...

03-31-2008 , 04:05 PM

gaspar98

stranger

Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 4

Couldn't find a rules section, so here it goes...

I have a concern regarding string bets. By definition, a string bet is when a player makes two forward motions to put chips into the pot. But I've seen a lot of times that a player announces a raise (whithout specifying the amount), throws in the amount to call and comes back and raises whatever he has in mind. I know that by announcing a raise he is committed to raise, but by making two forward motions I understand that he can only raise the minimum amount. Isn't it the same as to say: "I see your bet and raise whatever"?

Am I wrong?

Quote

03-31-2008 , 04:24 PM

jesse8888

Yes, you barred

Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 16,685

I mostly play limit, so in my game this isn't much of a concern. When someone announces "raise", they just do that...raise. But in no limit i'm not sure if announcing raise gives you the latitude to screw around with your chips as long as you like before getting a total amount in there...when I do raise in no limit, I usually announce the amount.

Quote

03-31-2008 , 04:25 PM

JDonk

grinder

Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 565

Yes you are wrong, buts its a common mistake for some reason.

Once the raise is announced the player can raise to any amount allowed, throwing in the call after declaring a raise only benefits everyone else because it saves time, and stops the non stop flow of "is it 19 more, or 19 total"

Quote

03-31-2008 , 04:25 PM

SellingtheDrama

old hand

Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 1,630

Here's the varying scenarios:

Player puts out a call, then says raise. Player must call.
Player says "raise". Puts out an amount greater than the bet. That's the total bet, unless it is not a legal raise, in which case a minimum raise is required.
Player says "raise". Puts out exactly the call. He may then make one motion and raise whatever he wants.

Personally I don't let myself get into these scenarios. My standard raising process is to state the word "raise" followed by the amount - either as "200 on top" or "200 straight" (or "all in"). I'm fairly sure that I'm not giving much if anything away, I have pretty good control.

Quote

03-31-2008 , 06:40 PM

ahsfl

journeyman

Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 276

See drama now I'm the opposite, I announce raise, put out the call, and reach back for the chips, because I like to see the reactions of players after I say raise and am reaching back for my chips, a lot of good tells come from that.

Quote

03-31-2008 , 08:44 PM

chunkyass69

old hand

Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 1,864

Does anyone here know what a sandwhich bet is. Ive heard it a few times but not too sure what that means.

Quote

03-31-2008 , 08:58 PM

Joe Merlin

journeyman

Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 250

[Does anyone here know what a sandwhich bet is. Ive heard it a few times but not too sure what that means.]

Open your own post and ask that question... I'm not trying to be mean. I think that is the proper procedure.

Quote

03-31-2008 , 08:58 PM

Jeff_B

Pooh-Bah

Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 3,923

Quote:

Originally Posted by chunkyass69

Does anyone here know what a sandwhich bet is. Ive heard it a few times but not too sure what that means.

This explains it i guess

Quote:

Chip Sandwich by Phil Gordon

17/07/2007

Let's say an early position opponent - preferably a loose opponent - raises and gets called by one or more players. Now there's a lot of money in the pot. More importantly, the players who simply called are unlikely to have a hand that would merit calling a big re-raise. If they had such a hand, they probably would have raised instead of flat calling in the first place. Now it gets to me.

I "sandwich" the callers with a big raise.

If my raise gets the initial raiser to fold, the meat of the chips will very often be coming my way.

I prefer to make this play from the blinds than from the button; if one of the blinds happens to wake up with a great hand, it really doesn't matter what the initial raiser was betting with - my goose is cooked.

I get maximum value from the sandwich raise when I am down to about 15 big blinds. For instance: I'm in the small blind. A loose player brings it in from early position for three times the big blind. Two players call. There are now 10.5 blinds in the pot. I look down and find 8-7 suited.

I raise all-in.

The initial raiser now has to make the tough decision as to whether to call a significant raise. Even if my timing is off and he has a big hand - let's say A-K - and decides to call the bet, I'm still in pretty good shape. My 8-7 suited will beat his A-K about 41% of the time. I've invested 15 big blinds and stand to win 37 big blinds. I'm getting exactly the right odds on my money here.

I won't make this play with a hand that can easily be dominated, like a small ace or king. I don't want to be 25% (or less) to win if I can help it.

And by making the play all-in, I completely negate my positional disadvantage, and make the most of my short stack. With all of my money in the pot, I can't be outplayed after the flop.

If it's chips you're hungry for, try the sandwich. You might just find that it hits the spot.

Quote

03-31-2008 , 10:28 PM

M4TT

grinder

Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 528

String bets are only string bets when they create confusion.

If guy clearly states he's going to raise and clearly shows he's putting the "calling chips" out there first then it's not a string bet.

Quote

04-01-2008 , 08:06 AM

#10

dualaces123

adept

Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 726

This is exactly right:

Quote:

Player puts out a call, then says raise. Player must call.
Player says "raise". Puts out an amount greater than the bet. That's the total bet, unless it is not a legal raise, in which case a minimum raise is required.
Player says "raise". Puts out exactly the call. He may then make one motion and raise whatever he wants.

Quote

Post Reply Subscribe

...