How to Choose Between Small vs Big Bet Sizes

No-Limit Texas Hold'em is simple to learn and easy to play. The tricky thing that most players usually come across in Texas Hold'em is choosing the right bet size. One cannot use a single bet size in all the pots; an optimal bet size varies and depends on many factors like the pre-flop action, stack depth, board texture, etc. So, let's discuss poker real money and how to choose the bet sizes in different scenarios to win.

First, let's define Small and Big Bets

What Qualifies as Small and Big Bets?

•  Your small bet size on the flop should usually range between 25-33% of the pot, whereas your big bet size should range around 66% or more.
•  Your small bet size on the turn/river should range between 66-75% of the pot, whereas your big bet size should be around 90% or more of the pot.

These are not definitive numbers, just an approximation of what your bet size should look like while on different stages of poker real money games.

Now let's learn how to choose the perfect bet size.

Rule 1: Bet a Lesser Amount on Static Board

Talking about value bets, always keep in mind that bets on the flop and the turn hold back your opponents from their equity if they fold. On dry boards, withholding equity is not imperative because other players have less equity against your betting range. That is why you get an extra reward for using small bet sizes. Further, calling ranges is inelastic on dry boards and your opponent will end up folding to a bet, regardless of the size. So, it is better to follow exploitative adjustment against players and bet in small sizes.

Rule 2: Bet Bigger Amount on Dynamic Boards

When your range of value betting is exposed, you should increase your bet size. This helps you extract more value and enables you to build a high stack pot when you are dealt a strong hand. Bigger bet size yields more value on dynamic boards before the turn or river and lowers the chances of you losing the strong hand to a bluffer. Moreover, it generates higher fold equity that makes your bluffs more effective. Also, opponents can opt for flush draws and backdoor draws as the board is not static. Thus, making a calculative move with the right bet size allows you to go all-in on the turn and make your bluff work by increasing the fold equity.

Rule 3: SPR Should Drive the Bet Size

When you play card games online, consider the SPR (stack-to-pot) ratio to choose the perfect bet size. You should plan and consider the size of the pot at the turn and river stages of your poker real money game and then work on your value hands and bluff. Follow the poker rules to maintain a consistent bet size across the flop, turn, and river to generate high fold equity. Keep bluffing to the minimum because small river shoves result in zero fold equity.

Final Thoughts

Feel free to try to adjust your bet size to take advantage of the loopholes you notice in your opponent's strategy. At the end of the day, you are playing against a human being who is susceptible to biases and mistakes. If you can exploit those mistakes with the perfect bet size, you can play card games online effectively and end up making a lot of money. That's a wrap on choosing small bets and big bets. And, now that you have learned how to play card games online, try your hands on poker real money and win yourself some rewards.