To effectively “crush” players who use incorrect bet sizing, you need to understand how their non-optimal sizing shifts the game dynamics and adjust your strategy accordingly.
According to the video “How to CRUSH Players Who Bet the Wrong Size!” from GTOWizard, there are two main scenarios to consider: when your opponent bets too small, and when they bet too big.
Scenario 1: Your opponent bets too small in a spot where they’re supposed to bet big
When an opponent uses a smaller bet size than optimal, especially on the flop, their betting range tends to be less polarized. This means they have a wider range of hands with varying strengths, rather than a distinct separation between very strong hands and pure bluffs.
Against this less polarized range, you can adjust by raising wider for value. This includes hands like top pairs and even some middle pairs that you might not raise against a larger, more polarized bet. You can also employ a more diverse range of bluffs. This can even include hands with very weak backdoor equity, as the smaller bet size makes it profitable to apply more pressure.
Your raise sizing will often be small (e.g., 33% of the pot). The goal is to target their weakest overcard hands and the very bottom of their range, which are more likely to fold to a small raise after betting small themselves. This strategy is particularly effective on low-card boards where both players have a lot of overcards. A small raise can effectively deny equity to these overcards that might have continued against a small continuation bet.
Scenario 2: Your opponent bets too big in a small bet spot
This scenario requires different adjustments based on the board texture:
- Range Bet or Straightforward Unpaired Boards:
- When facing an oversized bet on a board where the opponent would typically range bet, their betting range becomes more polarized. They are betting less often but with stronger hands and more clear bluffs.
- Your primary adjustment should be to fold more often. The inflated pot size means you need a stronger hand to continue profitably.
- Your raising range will also be more polar. Your value raises need to be very strong to withstand potential re-raises, and your bluffs will often target the weakest part of their now narrower betting range.
- You will likely use a small raise size to target these weaker hands in their range.
- Be more selective with your check-calling range. You need to protect against future aggression on later streets, so some marginal hands you might call against a smaller bet should now be folded.
- Paired Boards:
- On paired boards where a small bet is usually preferred, an oversized bet often indicates a polar range consisting of the paired card (for value) or a bluff. Overpairs might even check more frequently in this situation.
- Your raising range can become more linear. Instead of a V-shape (raising with the best and worst hands), you might raise with a broader spectrum of hands that have good value or equity denial against their perceived range. This can include trips, pocket pairs, and even some weaker holdings with blocking potential.
- You might use a small raise size at a high frequency in these spots.
- Monotone Boards:
- An oversized bet on a monotone board creates a very polarized range for your opponent, heavily weighted towards strong flushes, sets, and some bluffs.
- Your raising range may become virtually non-existent. It can be very difficult to balance a raising strategy against such a polarized range, and there might not be individual hand combinations that strongly prefer to raise.
- Your strategy will likely simplify to a straightforward continue or fold based on whether you have a strong hand (like top pair or a decent flush card). If you don’t, you should often fold.
In summary, to “crush” players who bet the wrong size, you must first recognize the deviation from the optimal bet size and then understand how this alters their range and the overall pot odds. This understanding allows you to adjust your raising range for value and as a bluff, your calling range, and your folding frequency to exploit their mistake. Remember that the specific adjustments will depend on the board texture as well.