Types of Plays: Slow Plays
The polar opposite of bluffing, the “slow play” in poker (which can also be called “sandbagging” or “trapping”) is a form of deception. Generally, players using the “slow play” tactic will bet weakly or passively check with a strong hand rather than betting aggressively with a weak hand.
The main goal of a passive slow play is to lure other players into a pot who would otherwise be likely to fold to a raise, and/or cause them to bet more strongly than they would if the player had made an aggressive play. There is a downside to slow playing, however, as it sacrifices protection against any hand that may improve with more cards, as well as risks losing the pot-building value of a bet if the opponent also checks.
Basically, it keeps people in the game on the cheap, which can backfire on the slow player.
In order to make a slow play that will profit the player, it is important to recognize the conditions that would make such a move ideal. Such examples are:
- A player needs to have a very strong playing hand (one that may not need protection.)
- Another player is clearly going for what you know to be the second best hand – if that’s the case; by all means let them have free (or cheap) cards. In other words, encourage your opponent to go for the straight in seven card stud, because you are holding a flush…. Devious, isn’t it?)
- The player must believe that some opponents will be driven out through aggressive play, yet still have a strong enough hand to likely win the pot if the opponents decide to stay in.
- The pot should not be very large at the point of the play (Seven card stud is a good example of this – getting 2 aces for down cards, then getting a third as the first face up… you pretend the third ace is meaningless and bet accordingly, letting others stay in the game and increasing the pot.)
Slow playing a hand should not be compared to check raising, as the latter is generally used as a tactic to drive opponents out from a pot (after getting them to put something in.) However, in a single betting round, check raising can be employed as a slow play in such games as draw poker.
Lastly, reputation counts somewhat - if a player has a reputation of being a slow player, it could ruin a bluff later, as people may be more apt to call it, as they feel you play good hands conservatively. Of course, you can always turn that against them (see how poker is the ultimate psychological showdown?)
