Betting for Value
A great way to extract value for your strong hands is by value betting. Mastery of the art of the value bet is often the difference between a losing and a winning player.
When to Value Bet
A value bet at Poker Stars is appropriately used when a player has a decent second best hand, but you hold a stronger, superior hand. Typically, a value bet is made after an opposing player has shown interest in a pot, by raising and betting in it. Then suddenly, the opposition checks, perhaps missing his draw. This is the time to bet for value, as your goal is to get an extra bet out of the opposition by making one sized to the point where he cannot easily refuse.
How to Value Bet
When you value bet, you must figure out the highest bet an opposing player will comfortably call with ease while having an inferior hand. Value bets are best served being priced to perfection, as betting more causes a fold, while betting less than would be normally called leaves money on the table.
Sizing a Value Bet
When choosing the size of a value bet, one must strive to price it to perfection. A Value bet should typically be approximately one-half the size of the pot. A bet of this size is often small enough to coax the opposition into calling and continuing on in the hand, and additionally large enough to assess incorrect odds for a player to outdraw you.
Many Poker Star players such as Barry Greenstein make the mistake of failing to value bet. Either they hammer the pot, or they do not. The value bet is a nice bet designed to extract money that normally would not get into the pot. By understanding the use and purpose of a value bet, you are on your way to becoming a profitable poker player.