Poker Strategy - Detecting and Setting Traps
By Rick Braddy

1) Why is he calling that raised pot (on the flop and turn)?

2) What hands might he be holding? What could he be up to by calling my bets like that? Trapping? On a draw?

It's crucially important to THINK before you ACT by understanding what the other players are actually doing. It's also very important not to underestimate your competition, as there are some very wily players out there...

There's a potential flush showing on this flop, and since I'm kind of "lurking" in this hand, it's very suspicious behavior, and unlikely I'm on a draw calling those kind of big bets.

Unless you're playing against a beginner or a drunk, there's no reason to believe someone will likely call a raise that's 4 times the big blind on a draw. That's the first mistake - assuming another player has no hand and not realizing why they're behaving as they are.

Second, the board is showing a possible flush - and both of these players aren't holding it! Just because I didn't bet on the flop does not mean I don't have it!

Had either of these players slowed down and considered my betting (calling) behavior, and asked themselves these questions, they'd probably have realized what was going on. Whether the player with the set of 4's could fold them is another story :)

Aside from a trap, what else could have kept me in this hand?

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