Is it possible to think of something better than flopping a monster hand and slow playing its strength? Probably not, which is why many players do not know when the proper time to slow play a hand is. If you are unaware of slow playing, it is when a player has a very good hand and limps, checks, and flat calls throughout the hand in hopes that there opponent will bet for them thinking they are weak. So is there a right time to slow play a hand and a wrong time? Of course, any strategy can be misused or over used, but if employed properly it can be a dangerous weapon in your arsenal. So when is it a good time to slow play a hand? Well, take a look at the example provided below.

Let's say you are sitting on the button with Ah-Ks in a 6 handed no limit hold em game, and everyone folds to you. While raising on the button may be a good move as well, you can limp in to show some weakness. You decide to call the minimum and the small blind folds and the Big Blind checks his option. The Big Blind has been a pretty aggressive player in your experience and will bet the flop even if he bricks. The dealer now then shows the flop of As-Kd-9h. This is an excellent flop for you as there are no immediate flush draws and only straight draws at best. The only way your opponent would have you beat is if he had a set and since he did not raise preflop, this is unlikely.

Since he is the first to act, the Big Blind decides to check as well. Now it is your turn to act, what do you do? Betting here would be an ok choice, however the Big Blind may fold if you are showing immediate strength with two big cards on the board. No, if you want him to play your sneaky game you are going to have to slow it down. You should check as well. The Turn shows an 8c which is no help to you, but should not scare you either. As expected, the Big Blind sensed weakness and decided to bet 2/3 the size of the pot. You give it some thought, maybe take 10-15 seconds, and decide to call. The River shows a 5h and now for the last betting round. Out of what seems to be desperation, the Big Blind bets the pot, more than likely hoping that you will fold to a large bet. What do you do now? You reraise him, preferably enough that you know he will call if he has a piece of the board. If he folded, he had nothing anyway.

While that example is completely exaggerated, it shows several factors that a player needs to consider when slow playing a hand. It really is not as easy as flopping a monster and letting someone else do the work for you. While that may be nice, there are times where it's a mistake and you end up missing a great opportunity to earn some extra chips.

Slow Playing Tips

Are you aggressive? If you happen to be raising every pot you are in and then all of a sudden you decide to slow the action down, it is going to cause suspicion. Slow playing is better left for tight or tight aggressive players. If you want to start slow playing hands, you will have to slowly switch gears and slow you overall game play down.

If there is more than one other player in the hand with you, it will be extremely dangerous to slow play a hand. Too many cards out there could possibly beat you. If you decide to slow play a hand in a pot with lots of players you will want to be sure you have the nuts.

Flop texture is extremely important. It is one thing to slow play a hand on a rainbow flop, but it is another to have multiple straights and flushes on the board. If there is a possibility of a straight or flush, do not slow play but bet the pot and take it down if you can.

If you are in a pot with a maniac then make him pay every time you have a hand against him. Maniacs and aggressive players will bet heavily sometimes regardless of what they have. Be sure to take advantage of this and try to score big.

If you are in a hand against a "rock," do not slow play. Extremely tight players will only bet when they have something, so your hopes of them betting for you are non-existent. While playing against a tight player you are better off betting for value. You will lose money in the long run trying to slow play a tight player.

Only slow play monsters. It is too easy to try and slow play a pair but what ends up happening is that you lose chips from not getting the maximum value or by being drawn out on. If you are going to slow play a hand, you should at least have 2 pair.

Slow playing can be an extremely good tool to have in your poker strategy arsenal but it is important when doing so to employ our 6 tips from above. This will ensure that you do not put yourself in a position where you lose money, either by being drawn out on or by losing value on made hands. What is important to remember is that when you this strategy at the right times and in moderation, you should see a nice profit in the long run.