Joined: May '13
Location: United Kingdom
Age: 37 (M)
Posts: 2219
I am really having a problem with flopping a set and either set mining or getting value out of them. I am either betting out thin or a value bet first and people are folding(Same if I check-raise) but every time I hit a set on the flop there is a flush draw or some kind of straight draw and it scares me as every time I slow play them or try and set they will hit and I lose.(I am not exaggerating there is always some sort of draw and that puts me off)
It is probably all in my head but most people here know my luck and mind when it comes to draws against me. Any tips or strategy to get more value and money of this hand or anything?
Joined: Jan '13
Location: Canada
Age: 45 (M)
Posts: 1066
I personally see a lot of draws in this situation, almost everytime to be honest. I think everything is random on these sites but I think its fixed to bring action to the table.....does that make sense?
Joined: Jun '13
Location: Canada
Age: 80 (M)
Posts: 3700
Everybody is living the same situation however i am loosing some but i win most of my set you probably do not remember the one you are winning. Sure you always remember more the lost then the win.
Joined: Apr '09
Location: Australia
Age: 40 (M)
Posts: 6483
Yeah, getting value out of sets can be really difficult. In fact, getting value out of a set of aces is often nearly impossibly, since there's an ace on the board, you hold two, chances are no-one else has hit s**t.. Or they have and it's a 5-card hand that beats you!
Low sets are often the best to get value from..
IMHO - the best hands to extract set-value from are those where it has been 3bet preflop, if you're deep enough to justify the call, then the best thing is to be in-position, with a low PP and get involved in a multi-way pot that has been 3bet preflop (an open raise, then a further raise) - feel free to 3bet yourself. The reason I say this is, people are playing their monsters in these circumstances, easiest way to get paid off for a low set, is when you're up against AA/KK .. in which case, you can just play HARD on the flop and get all the chips in as a huge favourite.
That said - if you're not deep enough, FOLD you low pps in these big hands..
Always consider the chances of flopping a set, vs the maximum value you can get vs the average value you'll get, to consider if it is really worth set-mining in a particular hand. Position is important too.. Don't set mine low pps OOP, you'll lose money in the long term.
Joined: Apr '11
Location: Romania
Age: 35 (M)
Posts: 6669
I think most of us have problems in hitting a set on the flop, i mean most of the times when you play a pair you won't hit a set
I agree that if you open up the hand and you were the first that raised preflop you should make a conti-bet, if the flop is well connected and you see bets/raises fro other players folding is the best option.
Joined: May '08
Location: Germany
Age: 59 (M)
Posts: 6786
If you have problems with set minning, maybe you should stop to play the lowest pocket pairs, at least in early positions. Maybe try to play your set the way you would play a good pair, at least on the earlier streets.
Never slow play a set. Especially if the board is scary. It's my problem too Now I decided for myself "Better win less, than lose more" Play preflop very aggressive with pocket pair so you'll take that pot after the flop(or turn) if you reach a set. PS Only for tournaments. Don't play this way at cash tables.
Joined: Feb '11
Location: United Kingdom
Age: 59 (M)
Posts: 5712
I agree with uno1bomber. You maybe need to change your approach to how you try and play sets. The important point to remember is while we all get excited about flopping a set, it's is almost the weakest winning hand you can have...only three are weaker. So, while the temptation is that they provide good value, that value comes at relatively high risk as you are finding out.
It's also not as easy as just 'trying' to get value. Strategy, position and understanding what is going on at theTaegue is more important and will support you in your decision making.
So, two aspects to consider. The relative weakness of the hand compared to its strength at that time to take the pot on the flop, added to what you know about everyone else and your position (oh yes...and of course the cards on the board and what they may provide to another player which you can assess from their PRE and post flop play.).
Use all of these and make your play. Don't just keep slow playing as you will get caught out more often than not.
You should always play sets in a way, so you will be able to put in an all in bet on the river (and not overbet), so slowplaying usually isn´t the right play.
If you setmine, it is definitely good to try a reasonably big check raise (if you are out of position and you will usually be OOP, because setmining is best from big blind against an early position opening when someone calls the first raise). The overpairs, 2 pairs, good draws might decide to put their money in right on the flop (it is good for you, because some turn cards can scare them off). And not that strong overpairs or 2pairs will usually call the checkraise and maybe check call one more street.
And from their weaker hands you wouldn´t be able to get more value if you had slowplayed anyway (check calling out of position is a sign for a thinking opponent, that you have a strong hand).
Joined: Mar '11
Location: United Kingdom
Age: 55 (M)
Posts: 7371
I always bet out when i hit my set especially if it is a low value one. These hands can be so well disguised that you will nearly always get at least one caller but i do agree that there is always a draw heavy board when you hit
Joined: Mar '12
Location: United Kingdom
Age: 45 (F)
Posts: 2261
As a previous writer said the best chance of getting value out of set mining is when you are deep to at least allow some play in the hand. Sometimes it can be obvious when someone has been mining and hit,especially weaker/new players who suddenly get a burst of life on a dry flop.I always try and build a pot as early as I can otherwise you tend to only get action when your opponent has got there on the river and you have allowed it to happen for free. As the saying goes--you only get action if you give action
If you flop a set against any draw always bet it yes there might be some draws depending on how many players too the flop most of the time you are way ahead and fill up too a full boat on the turn or river although the other week i flopped a set of 888 on a Full Tilt Lead board free roll because the board was very straight and was facing an all in on the river and i folded it then the player after the hand said straight so yes s**t happens but very hard too get away from set but most of the time you are way ahead one thing i have never seen on a poker site 3 players flopping a set on a 3 card board 2 yes but never seen 3
Joined: Dec '13
Location: Croatia
Age: 34 (M)
Posts: 716
Posted by Phisix: I am really having a problem with flopping a set and either set mining or getting value out of them. I am either betting out thin or a value bet first and people are folding(Same if I check-raise) but every time I hit a set on the flop there is a flush draw or some kind of straight draw and it scares me as every time I slow play them or try and set they will hit and I lose.(I am not exaggerating there is always some sort of draw and that puts me off)
It is probably all in my head but most people here know my luck and mind when it comes to draws against me. Any tips or strategy to get more value and money of this hand or anything?
As there is no good universal way of playing poker, there is not a single univesal advice that would solve your problem, except:
If you play poker on daily basis I strongly recommend you get Holdem Manager 2 or some similar program. Without an information that program provides you with you don't really how you should play your set, or draw or TPTK or anything.
It is all situational - against LAG (loose aggresive) you should mostly check-call all the way becuse those kind of players have (once they entered a pot) pretty big tendency to bluff their stack out. If you check-raise them they will fold since they have air. You check-raise fishes and calling stations and against ABC players you estimate the situation and his preflop patterns and then develop an optimal strategy.
Without that program to provide you the necessary info, you are in the dark at all time - not just when holding a set.
Joined: May '13
Location: Mauritius
Age: 32 (M)
Posts: 2688
Best play for a set, is to play it like you have a monster hand, if they outdraw you and it is possible you can blame it on variance which is the case as a set with flush draw, you are a slight favourite. Best play you will ever find, is to set mine, raise all in on the flop and hope they call and take whatever the poker gods give you after showdown lol. It works wonders if you just raise all in on flop or push all in with set, you get called but sometimes you might miss value as they fold!
