Betting actions
Value bet in poker
Definition
A bet made with a hand that is likely best, intended to be called by worse hands.
Value betting is the way poker makes money. The key question is whether worse hands will call: if only better hands call, it is not a value bet.
Thin value bets target the weakest hands that still call, and size should be chosen to get the most from them. On the river every bet is either a value bet or a bluff.
Example
You have top pair with a good kicker on the river and bet half the pot, hoping a weaker pair calls.
Related terms
- BluffA bet or raise made with a weak hand to make better hands fold.
- BetThe first wager of a betting round, which others must call, raise or fold against.
- NutsThe best possible hand on the current board; no other combination of hole cards can beat it.
- RiverThe fifth and last community card, dealt after the turn betting round; also called fifth street.