TELL #13

TITLE: One of my cards was red? CATEGORY: Double-check. DESCRIPTION: In Photo 21, the player watches the flop. In Photo 22, he realizes that all three flop cards are diamonds and he begins to double-check his hold ‘em hand. MOTIVATION: He wants to find out if he has a diamond. RELIABILITY: • Weak players = 90% • Average players = 85% • Strong players = 75% 46 VALUE PER HOUR: • $1 limit = $0.20 • $10 limit = $3.00 • $100 limit =$13.50 DISCUSSION: Players remember denominations (such as king, seven, deuce) more readily than they do suits. Only if both hole cards are suited, are unsophisticated hold ‘em players apt to be certain of their exact cards before the flop. For this reason, if the flop is suited, players must look back to see if they have a card of that suit. When you see a player peek again at his hand, it should tell you that he does not already have a complete flush. However, he may have one card of the suit flopped. His double-check should also let you know that he doesn’t have two pair or trips because then he’d know it and he wouldn’t need to look. This latter conclusion is a bit dangerous with some players, since they may hold hands like king- seven of clubs, see the flop come king-queen seven of diamonds and need to check to see if the seven also paired them (they can usually remember that the king paired them). In any case, this tell lets us know almost for sure that our opponent doesn’t have a flush. This is one reason why you should be watching your opponents when the flop is spread. You can always look at the board later; it won’t change. BEST STRATEGY: If you hold king-jack (top pair with second best possible kicker) and you would bet if the flop weren’t suited, you should consider betting anyway against this opponent. If you hold king-queen (two big pair) in no limit and this opponent subsequently moves all in against you, you should be more willing to call than you usually would. That’s because there’s a good chance he holds something other than a flush. Perhaps his hand is queen of clubs with ace of diamonds, giving him a draw to the best possible flush and a quality pair. Your exact decision in a no limit game would be based on many other factors. Remember, any weak-to-average player who double-checks after the flop is giving you important information to weigh while making your decision.

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