my secret microweapon: the continuation checkraise

[TheRenaissance]

CCR for short. This is no big deal, no big theory post, just a little move I like to pull from time to time. I am sure I am not the only one.

When I find someone behind me likes to float and stab at my pots I tend to do this. I do it with complete air until they catch on, then I switch back. Also I prefer low, dry flops. If they are low, dry and paired it is like free monies from heaven, as most aggrodonks are unable to resist the temptation to bluff.

e.g.:
Villain is 32/10/2.5.
Hero raises in CO with xx.
Villain calls on the button, which he has done quite a few times.
Flop 662r.
Hero ...checks.
Villain OMGINSTABETS which means he has air 89.7% of the time.
Hero nonchalantly, expertly checkraises and scoops pot.

You need to pick the right villain, right situation and the right board to do this.

Villain:
Loose and aggro, but not a very deep thinker. If you check he sees weakness, end of story. He is not the type to call you down with ace high, but he sure likes to bluff and peel one off if he thinks you missed with your AK.

Situation:
If you have been very active and aggressive - dont do this (as a bluff). No one will believe you - enough. A good spot is when your cbets have been picked off quite a bit, you havent seen many showdowns or won any pots, and everyone sees you as a weak nancyboy they can push around.

Board:
As mentioned, the board should be low and dry.
7/images/graemlins/heart.gif8/images/graemlins/heart.gif9/images/graemlins/spade.gif = bad
2/images/graemlins/spade.gif2/images/graemlins/diamond.gif9/images/graemlins/club.gif = perfect
2/images/graemlins/heart.gif6/images/graemlins/heart.gifJ/images/graemlins/club.gif = ok
9/images/graemlins/spade.gifQ/images/graemlins/diamond.gifJ/images/graemlins/heart.gif = bad
These are just general pointers, and feel free to experiment. Might be ok to try this on a monotone board for instance.

Do this, and you will pick up some nice little pots. Also you should see villains backing off a little. An added side benefit might be the chance to take some free cards OOP when you want to, as villains will fear the checkraise and check through.

PS: Dont overdo it. The good old cbet is still the standard.

[ev_slave]

Looks pretty handy, but if you don't mind, which MicroLimits is this? 25NL? 50NL? I play 10NL and feel that you might not ever get the FE you need for this to work.

[TheRenaissance]

[ QUOTE ]
Looks pretty handy, but if you don't mind, which MicroLimits is this? 25NL? 50NL? I play 10NL and feel that you might not ever get the FE you need for this to work.

[/ QUOTE ]

I am sure you could find spots to do this at 10NL as well. It is probably more useful at the higher end of the micros, though it is all about recognizing the situation.

[infinite_loop]

Yeah, I like doing this. I frankly don't get enough players to do this against though, and I'd be more inclined to do it with good overcards.

[Gelford]

I don't like it .... but holla ? (Talked about this in my well)

[Nogatsira]

I think against the correct villain this is indeed a nice weapon. If villain isnt paying attention at all (or playing 8+ tables) then you can do this alot.
Don't overdo it against people who do pay attention or it can be an expensive weapon.

[robinmbuk]

[ QUOTE ]

Looks pretty handy, but if you don't mind, which MicroLimits is this? 25NL? 50NL? I play 10NL and feel that you might not ever get the FE you need for this to work

[/ QUOTE ]

At 10NL you can play big pots with tptk and often players will check it down when you have AK and miss because they are passive, so you often win with A high. But @ nl25+ i like this move.

[TheRenaissance]

[ QUOTE ]
I don't like it .... but holla ? (Talked about this in my well)

[/ QUOTE ]

Link to post? Didnt read it.

[fees]

Just bet the flop, if he keeps calling double barrel or wait for a hand

[tarheeljks]

yeah, this seems like fps at its finest

[Mr_Pathetic]

Since we are talking about continuation checkraises I will share this gem. I also like to use the triple barrel checkminraise bluff from time to time as well. Villain was in every hand betting every street.

Poker Stars - No Limit Hold'em Cash Game - $0.02/$0.05 Blinds - 4 Players - (LegoPoker HH Converter (http://www.legopoker.com/hh))

SB: $5.09
Hero (BB): $5.78
UTG: $3.09
BTN: $9.59

Preflop: Hero is dealt Jhttp://legopoker.com/hh/images/diamond.gif 7http://legopoker.com/hh/images/club.gif (4 Players)
UTG folds, BTN calls $0.05, SB calls $0.03, Hero checks

Flop: ($0.15) 5http://legopoker.com/hh/images/diamond.gif 7/images/graemlins/heart.gif 5http://legopoker.com/hh/images/club.gif (3 Players)
SB checks, Hero checks, <font color="red">BTN bets $0.15</font>, SB folds, <font color="red">Hero raises to $0.30</font>, BTN calls $0.15

Turn: ($0.75) 2http://legopoker.com/hh/images/diamond.gif (2 Players)
Hero checks, <font color="red">BTN bets $0.40</font>, <font color="red">Hero raises to $0.80</font>, BTN calls $0.40

River: ($2.35) 8http://legopoker.com/hh/images/diamond.gif (2 Players)
Hero checks, <font color="red">BTN bets $1.40</font>, <font color="red">Hero raises to $2.80</font>, BTN folds

Pot Size: $6.55 ($0.25 Rake)

[Gelford]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
I don't like it .... but holla ? (Talked about this in my well)

[/ QUOTE ]

Link to post? Didnt read it.

[/ QUOTE ]

It was yesterday, I'm sure you can find it, but it is all about balance. How do you prefer to balance your game, your bluffs, you good hands and your not so good hands.


I just do not like to not apply pressure and give free cards, you are basically taken a passive line and you sound like you want to live with it.

I don't like being passive, if I'm getting floated, then I might tighten up or not, but I start firing more barrels, I start 3betting ... I start breathing fire in other words.

Potentially you are risking missing out on value on your good hands.

But then again I don't mind being stacked on a bluff once in a while, so that makes it easier.


But this is not bad, I just don't like it (construction of game, balance and so on), still it is more personal preference more than anything.

[Nogatsira]

[ QUOTE ]
Since we are talking about continuation checkraises I will share this gem. I also like to use the triple barrel checkminraise bluff from time to time as well. Villain was in every hand betting every street.

Poker Stars - No Limit Hold'em Cash Game - $0.02/$0.05 Blinds - 4 Players - (LegoPoker HH Converter (http://www.legopoker.com/hh))

SB: $5.09
Hero (BB): $5.78
UTG: $3.09
BTN: $9.59

Preflop: Hero is dealt Jhttp://legopoker.com/hh/images/diamond.gif 7http://legopoker.com/hh/images/club.gif (4 Players)
UTG folds, BTN calls $0.05, SB calls $0.03, Hero checks

Flop: ($0.15) 5http://legopoker.com/hh/images/diamond.gif 7/images/graemlins/heart.gif 5http://legopoker.com/hh/images/club.gif (3 Players)
SB checks, Hero checks, <font color="red">BTN bets $0.15</font>, SB folds, <font color="red">Hero raises to $0.30</font>, BTN calls $0.15

Turn: ($0.75) 2http://legopoker.com/hh/images/diamond.gif (2 Players)
Hero checks, <font color="red">BTN bets $0.40</font>, <font color="red">Hero raises to $0.80</font>, BTN calls $0.40

River: ($2.35) 8http://legopoker.com/hh/images/diamond.gif (2 Players)
Hero checks, <font color="red">BTN bets $1.40</font>, <font color="red">Hero raises to $2.80</font>, BTN folds

Pot Size: $6.55 ($0.25 Rake)

[/ QUOTE ]

Thats spewing, thats no gem /images/graemlins/tongue.gif
No really, there is not a single bet I like in this hand, my hair on my arms stands up. Screenname on stars? /images/graemlins/smile.gif

[jk1986]

This is very much a move I make a lot in heads up games when my opponents are taking to many weak stabs at pots. I wouldn't use it 6max though; as fees said, would prefer just cbetting and 2nd barreling when neccessary.

[Dogballs88]

[ QUOTE ]
Since we are talking about continuation checkraises I will share this gem. I also like to use the triple barrel checkminraise bluff from time to time as well. Villain was in every hand betting every street.

Poker Stars - No Limit Hold'em Cash Game - $0.02/$0.05 Blinds - 4 Players - (LegoPoker HH Converter (http://www.legopoker.com/hh))

SB: $5.09
Hero (BB): $5.78
UTG: $3.09
BTN: $9.59

Preflop: Hero is dealt Jhttp://legopoker.com/hh/images/diamond.gif 7http://legopoker.com/hh/images/club.gif (4 Players)
UTG folds, BTN calls $0.05, SB calls $0.03, Hero checks

Flop: ($0.15) 5http://legopoker.com/hh/images/diamond.gif 7/images/graemlins/heart.gif 5http://legopoker.com/hh/images/club.gif (3 Players)
SB checks, Hero checks, <font color="red">BTN bets $0.15</font>, SB folds, <font color="red">Hero raises to $0.30</font>, BTN calls $0.15

Turn: ($0.75) 2http://legopoker.com/hh/images/diamond.gif (2 Players)
Hero checks, <font color="red">BTN bets $0.40</font>, <font color="red">Hero raises to $0.80</font>, BTN calls $0.40

River: ($2.35) 8http://legopoker.com/hh/images/diamond.gif (2 Players)
Hero checks, <font color="red">BTN bets $1.40</font>, <font color="red">Hero raises to $2.80</font>, BTN folds

Pot Size: $6.55 ($0.25 Rake)

[/ QUOTE ]

This is ugly. You give great odds for anyone to continue drawing, and any thinking player that wants to exercise some pot control will just check behind you.

It's very possible you had the best hand here.

[Mr_Pathetic]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Since we are talking about continuation checkraises I will share this gem. I also like to use the triple barrel checkminraise bluff from time to time as well. Villain was in every hand betting every street.

Poker Stars - No Limit Hold'em Cash Game - $0.02/$0.05 Blinds - 4 Players - (LegoPoker HH Converter (http://www.legopoker.com/hh))

SB: $5.09
Hero (BB): $5.78
UTG: $3.09
BTN: $9.59

Preflop: Hero is dealt Jhttp://legopoker.com/hh/images/diamond.gif 7http://legopoker.com/hh/images/club.gif (4 Players)
UTG folds, BTN calls $0.05, SB calls $0.03, Hero checks

Flop: ($0.15) 5http://legopoker.com/hh/images/diamond.gif 7/images/graemlins/heart.gif 5http://legopoker.com/hh/images/club.gif (3 Players)
SB checks, Hero checks, <font color="red">BTN bets $0.15</font>, SB folds, <font color="red">Hero raises to $0.30</font>, BTN calls $0.15

Turn: ($0.75) 2http://legopoker.com/hh/images/diamond.gif (2 Players)
Hero checks, <font color="red">BTN bets $0.40</font>, <font color="red">Hero raises to $0.80</font>, BTN calls $0.40

River: ($2.35) 8http://legopoker.com/hh/images/diamond.gif (2 Players)
Hero checks, <font color="red">BTN bets $1.40</font>, <font color="red">Hero raises to $2.80</font>, BTN folds

Pot Size: $6.55 ($0.25 Rake)

[/ QUOTE ]

Thats spewing, thats no gem /images/graemlins/tongue.gif
No really, there is not a single bet I like in this hand, my hair on my arms stands up. Screenname on stars? /images/graemlins/smile.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

lol. Want help as I have only used that line 3x in 45k hands. But I do use the triple barrel checkraise bluff when tilted hard. Only problem with the triple barrel checkraise bluff is that a hand that calls flop and turn is more then likely calling river lol.

[Gelford]

[ QUOTE ]
This is very much a move I make a lot in heads up games when my opponents are taking to many weak stabs at pots. I wouldn't use it 6max though; as fees said, would prefer just cbetting and 2nd barreling when neccessary.

[/ QUOTE ]

Don't forget, that poker guns actually have three barrels, tho use at own risk

[S.Clause]

Yeah, you have to choose the opponents real carefully. I would go as far as saying that with extensive tableselection one shouldn't be doing this at all or rarely at 50NL-ish.

I have to disagree with your definition of you perfect c-bet flop (or ccr-flop if you like). With a low paird board (244 orso) the chance that opponents holds an overpair or that he will have 2 overcards encreases. Yet again if you tableselct well the kind of opponents you're playing against will not be too keen on laying them down.

[TheRenaissance]

[ QUOTE ]
I just do not like to not apply pressure and give free cards, you are basically taken a passive line and you sound like you want to live with it.

[/ QUOTE ]
Meh, not really. I do this when I feel that it is highly likely that a) villain will call my cbet with whatever crap he has (which might be better crap than my crap), and b) that if I check to villain he will bet with his crap. My plan is to checkraise the crap out his crap, which hardly is passive. I wont ALWAYS work of course, but I am sure you have missed some turn checkraises in your lifetime, going for the stack-a-donk. And that is hardly a passive line IMO.

[mvdgaag]

I've encountered some opponents that will raise my cbets a lot especially on dry and paired boards... Double barreling is as effective (if not more) and cheaper (he might have a hand).
this play (or just reraising the flop) might work against very idiotic 'I bet all kinds of crap and never believe you untill you bet more than once' opponents, but there are easyer ways to combat these opponents: hit something and vbet the crap out of them.

EDIT: I bet you can't show us statistics over a large sample that show this is profitable in the long run.

[TheRenaissance]

[ QUOTE ]
I've encountered some opponents that will raise my cbets a lot especially on dry and paired boards... Double barreling is as effective (if not more) and cheaper (he might have a hand).

[/ QUOTE ]

So you 3b when they raise your cbet? How is that cheaper?

[Rythm]

If they float so much, why not just make your normal c-bet and then c/r turn? It seems to blend in better with an aggressive overall strategy, in addition to probably being more profitable.

[SirFelixCat]

I use this very thing at times when villain feels like he can run me over. It tends to slow them down a whole lot, because now they know that when I am the PFR and check, it doesn't mean I'm weak....

[mvdgaag]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
I've encountered some opponents that will <font color="red"> raise=call </font> my cbets a lot especially on dry and paired boards... Double barreling is as effective (if not more) and cheaper (he might have a hand).

[/ QUOTE ]

So you 3b when they raise your cbet? How is that cheaper?

[/ QUOTE ]

No, sorry I changed it to red... I bet the turn with air more often when they tend to call my cbet.

What you are talking about might work once or twice against some weak players, but It'll kill you in the long run.

Also: This strategy is flawed against most tight agressive players, because unless your opponent bets way too many hands preflop he will often have a big pair when they cbet and welcome your checkraises on the flop. There is just no way you are making more from the occasianal small pot you pick up compared to the times you are checkraising into a made hand. This is why cbetting is as effective as it is.