by Svalbard

Created on: November 14, 2008   Last Updated: March 11, 2012

When you have the Nuts! This is the term used to describe when you have a hand that cannot be beaten. Unfortunately with the variance of hands in poker it is unusual to get this hand and make it pay out. So on second thoughts the Nuts is not best hand to go 'allin' with. Hold that one back, play it slow, draw the 'fish' in and eat them up.

You can argue a case, depending upon your chipstack, that 2,6 off suit is a great hand to go 'all-in' in on. If you are chip leader and hold an overwhelming lead in chips, then you have nothing to lose on such a tactic. You could force a smaller stacked player with, say, A 8 off a pot who is in fear of going out of the tournament. So in that circumstance a show of strength on your part is a good move. Of course you could be called and in embarrassment show your cards. Then the flop brings up a six. You are laughing. The turn card brings an ace and you wish you had folded, but you have a massive chip lead and you still have outs. The river turns over a two and you win, out drawing the smaller stacked player, knocking him/her out of the tournament and apologizing for your lucky draw. It is a moment to reflect upon and use to your advantage later on in the tournament. Other players may think you are bluffing when you raise later on when you do have the Nuts.

Another time that you might want to go 'all-in' is when you are short stacked and in danger of going out of the tournament. If you find yourself in this situation, as we all have at one stage or another, you need to read your card range correctly. For example if you get dealt J9 and you are the big blind next hand, then you must consider an 'all-in' move with this hand. You have a possible straight, up or down ad at the best you have two live cards if you hit a pair. In your position you could get two callers and triple through to increase your chip stack.

The above are two examples of when you might go 'all-in' in poker. There are many variants of cards and situations that will determine that move for you. One thing that was said to me and I hold true to this no matter the result of any hand and it is this. If you knew the cards of your opponent before you raised or called him/her would you have done what you did? Play your cards, play the player and always show strength. No 'all-in' move is secure, unless you have that elusive Nuts. Remember AA, pre-flop, is only a strong pair in your hand and can be beaten by any number of hands. Poker is a game of guile, deception and perception. As are 'all-in' moves. 2,6 is a great hand when it wins!

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