Gradual play is really a term used in poker – particularly Texas Holdem – for trying to lure your opponents into producing a large wager so that you simply can trap them and take down a big pot.
It’s usually used with a incredibly very good pre-flop palm such as pocket Aces on Kings. Instead of wagering major, the gradual player will sit back and limp in (call or check) as if he does not have a hands worth wagering, hoping that an opponent will have caught a lower pair or a straight draw and will come in with a big wager.
It can be a classic poker manouever and one which has won a lot of money for poker players down through the ages, except it has lost it is effectiveness. The easy reason for this is that everybody is now slow playing their major hands so it really is virtually expected.
So how do you use this situation to your advantage?
If you catch an enormous palm, you have to arrive out betting. In place of trying to tempt your opponents into making a move so that you simply can come in over the top, make the wager yourself. Now most amateur players baulk in the thought of this in case the rest of the table folds and they "waste" their major palm, but in reality you’ll typically generally get a number of wagering action from somebody.
By wagering your major palm rather than slow betting it, you happen to be performing a double bluff since most men and women would sluggish play it. Your opponents will usually assume you might be bluffing and you may obtain several betting action and ultimately win a lot more money.
The other reason you should wager is that should you do not wager, you’re allowing your competitors a absolutely free look in the cards and every time a card is turned more than they may very well be converting a losing hands to a winning one.
There is only one predicament where it will always pay to slow play your palm – when you flop an absolute monster that virtually can’t be beaten. For example say you’re dealt Ace, 4 of clubs and the flop is Queen, 10, 9 of clubs. You’ve just flopped the nut flush and you are pretty significantly unbeatable. OK any individual could have a pair of Queens, 10s or Nines and catch a 4th on the turn or river, or they could be holding the King of clubs and catch the Jack for a straight flush, except the chances of you not winning are now remote.
This is the time to slow play your hand. You will discover all sorts of hands that someone else may possibly be holding to generate them assume they’re in a very good position here; 2 other clubs, a straight draw, triples and even just a Queen for the top pair, whatever they’ve got the chances are someone will consider it is worth wagering. If the flop or river produces a King, Queen Jack, Ten or Nine you may possibly get a big raise and even an all-in from somebody.
Now you let them construct the pot up by just calling the bets and take down the pot with your nut flush.