Sizing and siding in poker: how to choose the optimal bet size

In the poker industry, as well as in betting, the term Siding refers to the size of the bet and the way it is chosen. In no-limit or limit poker, this becomes a key part of the strategy. The ability to set bets that perfectly match the current situation allows you to increase the success rate of the game. This skill distinguishes experienced mobile casino bettors who analyse various factors and make decisions based on them from those who follow a template approach.

The concept of sizing in poker

In general, sizing is a term that comes from the English ‘sizing’, which translates as ‘measurement’. This aspect is faced by every poker player. Beginners often act on an intuitive level, while experienced opponents adapt their bets depending on their goals, whether it’s getting a bigger bet, increasing the pot, or bluffing. There is no universal ideal size for each of these cases. Choosing the best bet requires an assessment of the players’ card ranges, their positions at the table, the total pot, and other key factors.

Choosing a bet size

There are three main types of poker bets in online casinos: small, medium and large. Each of them is expressed as a percentage of the total pot:

• up to 35% – small bets
• up to 65% – medium bets;
• over 65% – large bets.

Twenty years ago, professional players preferred medium and large bets. This was effective due to the large number of weak opponents and limited experience of poker players. Over time, the number of recreational players decreased, so people were forced to immerse themselves in the theory of the game. Strategies using small bets appeared. Moreover, these bets began to be used not only to get additional profit from the weak hands of opponents, but also in bluffs.

Read also: Recreational poker players.

Small bets

Small bets are those that make up up to 35% of the total pot. As a rule, bets of less than 20% are rarely used, since in most cases they give opponents favourable chances. The exception to this is small bets in all-in situations, but even in these cases, it is rare to see bets smaller than 20%.

Medium bets

Bets of 40-60% are used in different situations. They can serve as both all-in bets and bluffs. The choice depends on the position at the table, the total pot, past actions and the ranges of the opponents’ cards.

Big bets

A big bet is at least 70% of the total pot. Experienced players can use 100% bets and even overbets in appropriate situations. At low limits, most players are fairly straightforward, and therefore large bets are rare. However, as the level of play increases, all-ins are more common, both with strong hands and in bluffs.

Information about the opponent’s potential capabilities

The opponent’s rank is not the most important information for determining the size of the bet. It is only one of the aspects. The character of the opponent and his actions can hint at what cards he might have and determine the goal: either to win currency or to force him out of the game. However, a number of other parameters must be taken into account to make the right decision.

Read also: Postflop in Poker: Tactical Rules and Strategic Games.

Tactics in betting

Betting is the main element in the strategy of all variants of no-limit poker. Before depositing chips into the bank, it is important to answer the following questions:

• How much money is in the bank?
• What range of cards could your opponent have played?
• Is it possible to collect combinations using the draw?
• What is the current strength of the created combination?
• Will I have to continue the game in position or without position?
• What is the probability of other opponents deciding to call?

Most bets after the flop are between 60% and 90% of the total amount in the pot. Lower bets are used in cases when the opponent is ready to participate in the hand, but cannot afford large bets. Overbets are used in value betting when the probability of a call is high, as well as to maximise the likelihood that the opponent will fold during a bluff.

First raise. The first open preflop bet is called an ‘open raise’. The standard size of this bet is 3 big blinds. This approach is suitable for beginners who play cautiously with a narrow range of cards. At short tables and with a wide range of starting hands, many experienced players reduce the size to 2.5 big blinds.

3-bet. Experienced players usually make a 3-bet 3 times the size of the open-raise. This allows you to quickly build up the pot without giving your opponent a favourable chance. If you are playing without position, it is recommended to increase your bet to x3.5 to compensate for the lack of position. Example of a 3-bet An increased 3-bet from an opponent in the small blind is 3.25 times the open raise.

4-bet. With a 4-bet, a triple raise becomes irrelevant, as the betting ranges of the participants are greatly narrowed. Therefore, the optimal size of a 4-bet is approximately 2.3 times the previous bet. For example, if the first player bet $3 and the second player 3-bets to $9, the optimal 4-bet is $20.

General recommendations for determining the size of the control bet:

• With a polarised range, it is recommended to place large bets in order to make effective big bets and bluffs.
• For medium hands, smaller bets are suitable.
• On dry boards, small and medium bets are effective, as they do not create too much fold equity.
• On wet boards, it is recommended to place large bets to get more value with ready-made combinations and prevent your opponents from having favourable pot odds.

During the hand, it is important to understand how different bets affect the opponent’s range. The more he bets, the narrower his range can be.

Non-standard bets

A flexible approach to betting in poker is the use of sizes that differ from the standard ones for a particular situation. This is effective when adapting to a specific weak opponent. For example, a passive player reaches the river in 80% of cases. He does not pay attention to the size of bets and just follows each next card. Therefore, you can deviate from the usual sizes and count on a bigger value than usual.

• A call is a reaction to an opponent’s bet, the size of which is determined by him. This cannot be influenced, so different sizes are not usually considered when calling bets.
• Overbet is a bet that exceeds the current pot. This technique in poker is extremely powerful and dangerous, and it is rarely used on micro-limits. The reason is the large number of unknown opponents. There is not enough information about the opponent’s face to effectively make huge bluffs or big bets.

Tips and tricks for betting in poker

• Small bets are effective on dry and poorly coordinated boards.
• On wet boards with a lot of draws, it is recommended to use large bets.
• If you are playing without position, you should place larger bets to compensate for the lack of position.
• The standard size of an open bet is 3 big blinds.
• In case of limpers’ isolation, it is recommended to bet 3 big blinds plus 1 for each limper.
• For a three-bet, it is recommended to increase the previous bet by 3 times, for a four-bet – by 2.3 times.
• If you are betting on a big blind, it is better to bet on the flop so that you are ready to go all-in on the turn or river.

The main nuances that you should pay attention to

Errors in determining the size of bets are a common mistake among both beginners and experienced players. The former often make them due to inattention, and the latter – out of ignorance. One of the most common mistakes is automatic decisions. In poker, many situations are repeated, and players often make similar decisions. However, in each case, it is necessary to analyse the information and find the exact reasons for placing a bet of half the pot, a third or any other size.

Another common mistake is using a balanced strategy against weak opponents. Weak opponents can be defeated by exploiting their mistakes. For successful decision-making, it is necessary to accurately determine the range of the opponent, which is often difficult in the case of beginners. Finally, we would like to remind you that if you were looking for a casino with a deposit from 10 UAH, please follow this link. Read more information about the gambling industry in our blog.

FAQ: Sizing and siding in poker