Betting with the button - question

barrera

Was watching the Poker Channel last night, and one of the British Poker Open heats was down to the last three. One of the guys Hines, who was in third place pretty much all the way at this stage, was folding quite often when he had the button, and the commentators - especially Roy the Boy - were getting quite exercised by this, saying he should be betting more with the button.

Why would that be the case?

henbane

Position, aggression and initiative.

Ste05

Well especially three handed, he should be trying to steal the blinds, I didn't see that particular show last night, but in general especially short handed play late in a tournament, you need to be trying to steal blinds, and by raising on the button you hope both the blinds fold to your raise, thereby giving you a free round of blinds, if you're not aggressive in this spot and just wait for good hands, you will get blinded away, or when you do catch cards, both blinds will fold to your raise and you'll win the exact same amount you would have won had you tried to steal.

If you're called after a steal attempt, by being the aggressor you've taken the initiative in the hand. You also have position after the flop so you can see what your opponent does before you have to act, and so you can act accordingly.

Basically I'd say they were getting annoyed because really you need to be stealing blinds more at this stage of a tournament, and in general the more aggressive players tend to do better from this stage of a tournament.

Ste05

Ye pretty much what henbane said - lol

PPP-Pit Boss

Yes particularly if he has folded a number of times on the button as this would give him a prime position to steal while representing a strong hand.