Calling A Big Raise On The Flop or Turn To See A Free River Card

How many times do you flop or turn a nut flush draw, only to be faced with a decision to call a big bet in front of you? To me, it seems like it happens way too often. I hate chasing cards as they never seem to hit for me. However, I have picked up on a nice strategy that seems to be working well at the moment: call the bet!

That is exactly what I did today and it worked rather well.

I am near the button and my hole cards are diamonds - ACE RAG. The players behind me have not been raising so I am pretty confident that if it makes it to me without a raise, I will be able to call the $2 and will get to see a flop.

The play limps around with six callers.

The flop comes DIAMOND DIAMOND CLUB. Nice!

The guy under the gun fires out a $12 bet and the play folds around to me. Normally, I play this really tight and simply fold. However, I have noticed that many times after I fold (and someone else calls), the next round of betting goes check-check. So, I decide to call.

The turn is a HEART. I still only have ACE high in my hand and I stand ready to muck my hand if he fires another stab at the pot.

My call must have gotten his attention because he checks. No brainer. I check behind him hoping to hit my flush.

River card is a DIAMOND. Bingo!

The board has not paired and I know I have the nuts. ALL IN. He calls and I rake in a nice sized pot.

The lesson I learned from this hand is that sometimes making a call when you have nothing actually helps you improve your hand with little additional investment.

Summary:

Today's Profit: $102

Week One - $100 Loss
Week Two (so far) - $237 Profit (after buy-ins)

OVERALL PROFIT: $137.
OVERALL CHIP STACK: $177 (includes week two seed money)

Time played to date: 3 1/2 hours, or $67.71 per hour.