Winning Online Poker Strategy: The Value Bet

The value bet is an online poker strategy which, if used correctly, will lead to an increased profit from poker.

The value bet is a calculated bet which is used when you have the best hand and want to get paid off. You must put yourself in the shoes of your opponent, and imagine how much he would be willing to call. A lot of amateur poker players will push all-in if they knew they had the best hand, but if your opponent folds his hand, you haven't gained the most out of the situation.

Let's say you're in hand with one other player, it's the final betting round (after the river) and you've got a full house, and you think your opponent has a flush (so you're going to win the hand). Now you're going to make a value bet, so you need to look at the situation from your opponent's viewpoint. He's holding a flush. However, he sees that the board has paired, meaning there is a possibility of a full house. If you were to go all in here, your opponent would be able to fold (still a hard decision for him to fold, but it's possible). What would you call if you were in his position? If you think that you would call a pot sized bet if you were him, make that chance. If he pays you off, you have just made a profit from him using this online poker tip! If he folds, the next time you use the value bet, decrease the amount - you're probably too optimistic.

This technique will work against the vast majority of poker players, but as your opponent's skill level increases, you'll need to mix up your value bet. If you make the same value bet in every situation you're in; your opponent will click on to it and stop paying you off. Vary your bets by around 20% and your candidate will never be able to work out what you're doing. If you increase your value bet by 20% in some situations and reduce it by 20% in others - you'll end up making the same increase in profit, while hiding your tactic.

This poker tip can be used in conjunction with online poker bonuses, allowing you to have a double increase in poker profits. Find out which poker website suits you, with free online poker room reviews, and try out the value bet today. No deposit poker bonuses allow you to practice these online poker tips for free, while still being able to win real money.