Betting Patterns

Here are a few betting patterns and what they might represent.

The check raise events for pocket pairs and flush / straight represent making their hand on the turn. Also note that the player may just bet rather than check raise.

A check raise typically signifies an opponent slowplaying their hand or an opponent on a draw trying to take control of the hand. It’s important to know your opponent so you can draw a distinction between which of the two categories they fall into.

Represents	Preflop	Flop	Turn	River
Opponent On Tilt	Raise	Raise / Fold
Opponent On Tilt	Raise	Check / Fold
Opponent Holds Pair	Call	Bet	Bet	Check
Opponent Slowplaying	Call	Check, Call	Check, Raise	Bet
Opponent made Trips w/Small Pocket Pair	Call	Check, Call	Check, Raise	Bet
Opponent made flush / straight	Call	Check, Call	Check, Raise	Bet
Opponent made flush / straight and is slowplaying	Call	Check, Call	Check, Call	Bet
Opponent wants a free card	Raise	Bet	Check	all of the above
Weak Opponent with good starting hand (the small raise is the giveaway)	Small Raise	Bet	Check / Bet	Bet
Opponent on Straight / Flush Draw	Call	Check, Raise	Check / Bet	Fold
Weak Opponent on Straight / Flush Draw	Call	Check, Call	Check, Call	Fold

Betting patterns may vary from player to player so avoid using this list as your sole idea on betting patterns. A lot of players will habitually bet the same way, possibly the same number of chips even. Betting strong on draws is the most common, especially considering that it’s listed the thing to do by a good number of poker authers, even this website has it listed.

Some opponents may fold every time they are reraised, check with a great hand, always check the river, etc. With Level 1 and lower Level 2 opponents betting small means strong and vice versa.

Look for the speed at which your opponent is betting as well. Opponents who reraise you quickly may be on a draw, whereas if they pause to think, they may be considering folding OR how much to bet with the hand they’ve just picked up. The speed of your opponents bets and its tell will vary from player to player so don’t set anything in stone as an obvious tell on everyone who plays poker.

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