Slowplaying in Poker

Slowplaying is a move that players use in an attempt to 'trap' our opponents when we have a very strong hand. Many people slowplay postflop when they flop a set or a nut flush. When we have such a strong hand, we can be comfortable sitting back and calling, letting our opponent do all the hard work.

Slowplaying can also be used when we feel we can inducebluffs from our opponents. If we bet then we force the villain to fold, but the villain is super aggressive and bets big when we check the hand to him. This has the desired effect of making him bluff money to us.

Example of the slowplay backfiring:

We flop the nut flush with a10 on a 268 Flop. We get plenty of action and decide to slow play as we have the nuts and want to pick off some bluffs. The turn now comes the j and all of the action stops. We check as does the villain, and the river bricks a nothing card - The 9. Again we check and the villain checks back to show 8s for a flopped top set. This is the perfect example of when slowplaying has backfired.

Have a reason to slowplay

• Make sure when slow playing that you have solid reason to do so - E.G. - If you're playing against an aggressive opponent who will bet any hand.
• As a default, we strongly recommend betting your monster hands unless you have a strong reason to do otherwise.