April 27, 2009
Playing a Set
An online poker hand of two pocket cards that complete to trips is called a “set.” It’s a good hand to get and often wins. But how often do you hear players bemoan, “My set was smashed by a flush.” Or a straight, or a higher set? It happens and those players who hit a set must consider how fast or slow to play it at the casino.
In limit online poker, your set is more vulnerable since you can’t chase anyone off the pot with a big bet, and luck can go against you. In no-limit, you have more strategic options for playing your set to win the most chips. Some players will automatically bet out big when they hit a set on the flop, and essentially try to win the pot right away. This type of bet is meant to prevent any other players from drawing out on your hand at the turn or the river. It also limits the profit potential of the hand.
As with any poker hand, you should carefully read the board when you’ve hit trips. If there are two suited cards out there or connected cards, then another player could make a flush or a straight. Though the pot might not be big, a big bet will probably win it for you, and a small win is better than any loss.
If the board is not threatening, with no flush or straight likely to materialize, then slow playing your set could build up a bigger pot and win more chips for you.
