Counting Combos - now what? - Beginning Poker Questions

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Counting Combos - now what?

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04-20-2019 , 03:45 PM

AceHi

enthusiast

Join Date: Jun 2016 Posts: 67

Hi,

I never get the real reason for what counting combos is good for. I know how to do it and I try to implement at the table but I don't really understand for what I'm counting.

For example I open 3 bb on the BTN and the Big blind calls

Flop comes

A

I figure the number of strong combos in BB range

Sets T and 8: 6 combos
2 Pair ATo, A8s, T8s: 13 Combos

Now what?

If I bet and get raised I still don't know if he is raising with his 19 strong combos or maybe with some draws like 98s or QJo.

I really don't get the point. Sorry for this noobish question.

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04-20-2019 , 04:51 PM

madlex

Carpal \'Tunnel

Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 17,426

You obviously need to count those “other” combos too. If you do that, you get a better understanding what to do next.

If he raises the flop with 19 strong combos and 1 (semi)bluff, your next decision might be a different one than if he raises the flop with 19 strong combos and 200 (semi)bluffs.

In a perfect world, you also have an idea how much equity you have against his strong hands, how much against his semibluffs and how much against his total air. If he bluffs KQ, there’s a huge difference if you hold AQ or T9 on your board of AT8.

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04-21-2019 , 11:38 AM

statmanhal

Pooh-Bah

Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 4,987

Here's a simple example of how to use combos to estimate your winning chances.

After the river card is dealt, the situation is as follows:

Hero: K9. Villain Range: QQ+, AK. Board: KT9AA rainbow

Hero Result: AA KK x

Villain Possibilities:

Hand	Combos	Result	V Win Combos
JJ	6	AA JJ x
QQ	6	AA QQ x
KK	1	KKK AA	1
AA	1	AAAA x	1
AK	4	AAA KK	4
Tot	18		6

Assuming you give equal weight to each possible villain hand:

Villain Win Prob. = 6/18 = 33% => Hero Win Prob.= 67% => Bet/Raise

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