This isn't to say that there aren't times when this move can be the right play. The problems arise when you do this move at the wrong time. Let's look at what can happen.



You're at the beginning of a big tournament. So, the blinds are small and everyone has plenty of chips. You are dealt AA in early position. You decide to minimum raise, to hide the strength of your hand. Two players make the call. The flop comes A 10 6.

You continue with a small bet to disguise your big hand. One opponent calls you. The turn card is a 9. You make another small raise hoping to keep him around.

Then your opponents make a big raise. Convinced he has no idea what you have you happily call. The river is a harmless 2, so you make a bet hoping for a call. Your opponent immediately pushes all in.

You're a little stunned, but obviously make the call. When he shows his 7 8, making the nut straight, you can't believe your eyes. You flopped a set of aces and wound up losing to 7 8.

The small bets, with your big hand, seemed to have backfired on you. You got someone to stay in the hand long enough to get yourself beat. When you get to the end you can't fold, you've really out smarted yourself.

Most players then think about how unlucky they were in this hand. Are they right? Well, a little, but not completely. Let's take a closer look.

When you made your first bet you invited a lot of players into the hand. When you bet small on the flop, you keep players around. When he goes all in at the end you call planning to see two pair, or a small set. You wouldn't have to slow play to keep these hands calling.

When you lose a hand this way you should understand why it's a bad play. You never make that many chips. Then once in a while, you bust yourself out of the tournament.

Slow playing has its place. But, as you can see, it has its dangers. Usually by betting your good hands you will make more chips, and get busted less often.