The Logic Behind Feeler Bets in Holdem

When we want to make sure of our winning chances in Texas Holdem we must send out feelers. These are in the form of bets calculated to stimulate reaction from other players. We call them feeler bets in Holdem.

Feeler bets help reveal where we really stand in a game. Most times we have no idea what other players at the table hold and our hand isn't that strong. Worse, our positioning is the pits - like acting first or playing in middle position. Should we play or fold? If only we knew what other players are holding. But there's a way of finding out - through feeler bets in Holdem.

Especially when we hold potentials like top pairs, middle pairs, low or bottom pairs, or draws, we have to know our chances against what other players have. That's when we place a feeler bet. How players react to it reveals to us what they have in hand. For instance, right off at pre-flop, if we want to see where we and the other players stand, we raise a bet. A raise can be a feeler bet in Holdem.

If nobody reacts with a re-raise, then we get a good idea of where we stand. It is very likely that we have the strongest hand at the table, or that our hand has the most potential of becoming a winning hand, especially post flop.

But wouldn't we be at the risk of being re-raised? Of course we would. But then, if we get re-raised, we get exactly what we want - knowing where we stand. Through feeler bets in Holdem we see whether we ought to play or fold.

Through feeler bets in Holdem we quickly see our chances and save money. How? When we see someone re-raise us, it means someone else has a better hand. Instead of calling and making the pot big for someone else, we fold immediately and save ourselves from making more useless bets. Hence, feeler bets ought to be priced just right.

Don't make too big a feeler bet. Remember: feeler bets in Holdem should be big enough to trigger or challenge reactions at the table but not too big to lose if we have to fold. Loosing a few is okay compared to betting aimlessly and lose out in the end.

Thus, apply feeler bets in Holdem as often as needed. They make us play with confidence and a more definite purpose. More importantly, they help us save our chips.