Now suppose you are on the button with $ 3,500 in poker chips. The blinds are $ 200-$ 400 with a $ 25 ante. The pot no limit hold'em has $ 850 in it, everyone folds to you on the button. In the $ 400 big blind is Tight Ted with $ 3,500 in chips, and in the $ 200 small blind with $ 4,000 in chips is Passive Paul extrastuff.

You have:

                            

What's Your Move?
A. Move all-in
B. Call the $ 400
C. Raise to $ 1,200

Analysis

Although K-Q isn't a big hand, you are in a little bit of chip trouble. The best thing here is that you have two poker players in the blinds who will not call a raise unless they have a good hand. You like having tight and passive players in the blinds shifting thinking.

The correct play is to raise to $ 1,200 ©. If either Ted or Paul picks up a premium hand, he probably will reraise. If that happens, fold because you know he most likely has a better hand than K-Q advanced player.

SCENARIO 34

Now suppose the blinds are $ 300-$ 600 with a $ 50 ante. The pot no limit hold'em poker game has $ 1,400 in it. You have $ 2,400 in chips and you are the first to act.

This is you hand:

                            

What's Your Move?
A. Fold
B. Call
C. Raise to $ 1,800
D. Move all-in

Analysis

You are in big chip trouble-you're in the Move-In Zone on the Betting Chart. You can't take the blinds and antes twice without going broke. If you go through the blinds, you will be so shortstacked that players will start calling you with marginal hands.

Even thought online play poker K-Q usually isn't that strong a hand, the correct play is to move all in (D) in order to give yourself a chance to survive introduction.