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.

Here is a classic bad slow play. You have AA. It's early in the tournament and everyone has plenty of chips. You make a small raise looking for action. You get a couple of callers, and the on flop out comes A 6 10 rainbow.

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.

Your opponent, all of a sudden, fires a big raise back at you. You just call, planning to bet the river. The river is a 2. Now you make a big raise, hoping for a call. He not only calls, he raises you all in.

Well, you can't fold, can you? You call, and when he flips over 78 of diamonds, your jaw drops. You're out of the tournament. Out because you slow played yourself out.

When you bet small pre flop, you let people in. When you bet small on the flop, you kept them around. When he pushes all in, you have to call, and you're done.

Were you just unlucky? Most players just think they got a raw deal. Are they right? Let's consider this.

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 get beat by his straight you should see the folly of the slow play. If he had a made hand, as you hoped he had, he would have called a big bet after the flop. A player with a gut shot straight draw should fold. This is even more pronounced if you raise more pre flop. Then when you make a strong bet after the flop it is a lot more chips to risk on a gut shot.

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.