Read the signals sent by size of bet

How you interpret the size of an opponent’s bet, especially in relation to his stack at certain points in a tournament, can give you the chance to take down a pot or get away from a loser. Colorful pro Marcel Luske, known as the “Flying Dutchman,” read it right at the World Poker Tour’s $15,000-buy-in Doyle Brunson Five Diamond World Poker Classic at Las Vegas’ Bellagio in 2007.

With blinds at $2,000-$4,000 plus a $500 ante, players neared the money bubble, the point where those remaining finish in the money, allowing aggressive players to take advantage of those who fear risk.

After a player in middle position raised to $12,000, Luske looked down to find 10-9 offsuit in the big blind. Owning a considerably bigger stack, Luske called the additional $8,000. “The guy is not strong enough in chips to make a move,” Luske said. “In the bubble position, it’s very hard for people to play hands when they’re not that strong in chips.”

The flop came 4-9-J, rainbow, giving Luske a pair of 9s. “I checked to him so he can continue play with an A-K or A-Q, or represent an overpair, or he might have two 8s and make a continuation bet and I’d make some money out of it,” Luske said. His opponent bet $14,500.

“The amount tells me that he doesn’t feel too good with his hand because he only bet a small part of the pot and this flop is very dangerous,” Luske said. “Either he has a mon- ster such as three jacks or he’s trying to get me off the hand with a small bet and a small pair.”

Luske called. The turn came the queen of hearts, giving Luske an open-ended straight draw. He checked.

“He cannot afford to bet it unless he has K-10,” Luske said. “He’s going to lose all his chips if he walks into 10-8 or 10-K. He has to have a hand that’s more than a pair.”

His opponent also checked. The river came the 8 of clubs, completing Luske’s straight.

“I bet $30,000 into him just in case he does have a hand but played it wrong, or thinks I’m bluffing and am taking the chance to represent a 10,” Luske said. “The only way I get paid is if he has something and he thinks I’m bluffing. I gave him the opportunity to pay me off.”

Luske’s opponent called his half-pot bet and mucked his hand when he saw the straight.

“The amount of the bets tells you about the hand that they’re playing,” Luske said. “They don’t want to lose too much, but they want to know where they stand. If he bets out big on the flop, I’m done with the hand – big meaning $30,000, $35,000. I can’t afford to call with a pair of 9s. But if he bets $14,000, he’s telling me he doesn’t have much of a hand.”

Table Talk

Open-ended straight draw: A hand of four consecutive cards that can be completed by a card at either end.

Contact Rosenbloom at srosenbloom@tribune.com.