Feeler Bets

[David_Nicoson 1]

One of the issues with the feeler bet is that we get mediocre hands so much more often than strong hands like sets. I actually do like to lead with sets, but if we just donk bet small every time we have anything then raising that bet is a no-brainer. The proper balance can't be to make a feeler bet every time we get a piece.

[CobaltBlue 662]

i only use feeler bets when i think i have a good hand but think somone may have a better one.By placeing a small but not minimal bet im showing that i have a hand, this will probbably force out anyone who has nothing (stopping them "getting lucky"), any one who calls ill assume they probably have some kind of hand so now i need to think what it may be. And somone who raises, depending on the size mite tell me that they may have an overpair or set.So i find them usefull but only in situations likes that, where your not sure if you have the best hand but dont know what your opponants mite have.

If I play with you and know you do this often with mediocre hands in raised pots, I'm going to raise you pretty much every time.I do actually think that "feeler" bets (<50% of the pot) can work in limped pots...but you'd have to use them with a wide range of hands and be against the right mixture of opponents. That said, they're not something that I find reason to employ much at all.

[Dobbo049 0]

Then don't bet.

ok let me rephrase...I only use feeler bets when i have somthing like 9 / 9 and the board is 3 / 7 / K And No one entered the pot wit ha big bet...there a chance i have the best hand at the moment but theres also a chance somone had a K with a weak kicker as they havent raised yet, so if i open with a small bet ill probly get called or raised against somone with a K

If I play with you and know you do this often with mediocre hands in raised pots, I'm going to raise you pretty much every time.I do actually think that "feeler" bets (<50% of the pot) can work in limped pots...but you'd have to use them with a wide range of hands and be against the right mixture of opponents. That said, they're not something that I find reason to employ much at all.

I dont use them very often atall, just when i think i could be in the lead but somone Could have a better hand, i dont like to bet alot on a hand im not 80% certain is the best hand. because what if you think you have the best hand, your not certain. so you make a decent sized raise... then your raise is doubled :S ..... what now?......what the heck has your opponant got?......is it worth calling with a hand your not 80% certain is the best? If you would have made a smaller bet and it was still doubled then you have a chance to fold the hand without loosing much...... again im not saying i do this often atall just from time to time when i need more info on what my opponant is holdingStu

[Dictius 0]

I only use feeler bets when i have somthing like 9 / 9 and the board is 3 / 7 / K ... again im not saying i do this often atall just from time to time when i need more info on what my opponant is holdingStu

OK so say in the situation you described theres $10 in the pot and you put out a $4 feeler bet, and your opponent calls. What new information have you gained about the strength of his hand? He could be calling with 88-QQ or even a weak king trying to control the pot size so you haven't really gained much useful information imo.

[Dobbo049 0]

Ok i see your point, im new and i just do what i read in books at the moment :)so for my sake....How would you play it?

[Dictius 0]

Depends on alot of things. To start I would probably raise preflop if I was first or second in.Post flop I would likely continuation bet about 75% of the pot and represent the King but I may just check behind if I am in position as it is unlikely I will be called by anything other than a King on a board this dry.

[Dobbo049 0]

So it all depends on that pre-flop raise?say your in middle position, 2 limpers, and the blinds are $5/$10How much would you raise? With it you can represent a bigger hand by raiseing post-flop...So if you where re-raised after your raise Post-Flop? Would you fold or call?ThanksStuP.S. sorry i ask alot of questions

[David_Nicoson 1]

ok let me rephrase...I only use feeler bets when i have somthing like 9 / 9 and the board is 3 / 7 / K And No one entered the pot wit ha big bet...there a chance i have the best hand at the moment but theres also a chance somone had a K with a weak kicker as they havent raised yet, so if i open with a small bet ill probly get called or raised against somone with a KI dont use them very often atall, just when i think i could be in the lead but somone Could have a better hand, i dont like to bet alot on a hand im not 80% certain is the best hand.

Your bet has a lot more function there than just getting information. A lot of hands fold to that bet that have a lot of equity in the pot against you.Contrast this with a situation like this:Villain raises. Hero calls with A 9 in the BB.Flop: A A K .Hero ??.We might find out information here by betting (or check/raising), but the hands that fold are hands that we have killed.

[Dobbo049 0]

ok thanks

[mtdesmoines 3]

Then don't bet.

If I play with you and know you do this often with mediocre hands in raised pots, I'm going to raise you pretty much every time. I do actually think that "feeler" bets (<50% of the pot) can work in limped pots...but you'd have to use them with a wide range of hands and be against the right mixture of opponents. That said, they're not something that I find reason to employ much at all.

Which is why you don't bet. Someone good like Cobalt is gonna be stealin yer feeler betz.

OK so say in the situation you described theres $10 in the pot and you put out a $4 feeler bet, and your opponent calls. What new information have you gained about the strength of his hand? He could be calling with 88-QQ or even a weak king trying to control the pot size so you haven't really gained much useful information imo.

All you've done is swollen a pot w/o knowing for sure where you're at.

[Dobbo049 0]

So how do u know for sure where your at?

[Temporary Nuts 1]

So how do u know for sure where your at?

get to showdown

[Dobbo049 0]

dosnt happen very often when i play

[Acid_Knight 2]

get to showdown

A+!