Peel in Poker
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Poker is often claimed to be a rewarding game where expert players end up winning millions of dollars. However, to win at poker, you first need to acquaint yourself with some basic poker rules and terminologies such as peeling. Now if you are wondering what does peel poker mean? Here’s a quick guide wherein we have detailed the meaning of the term peel poker along with a working example.
What is the definition of the term peel poker?
When it comes to poker, the term peel poker is generally used when a player elects to call a bet in an attempt to see another card which could potentially improve his drawing hand to a winning one. In other words, a player is said to be peeling when he calls a bet with the sole intention of seeing another card. Poker players generally peel poker when they hold a drawing hand or another speculative hand that needs further cards to win. Therefore, by peeling in poker, players basically try to see another card in an attempt to calculate the chances of them hitting a drawing hand.
Peel poker – working example
If you still have a few doubts regarding what peel poker means, then keep reading because in this section, we have detailed a working example of peel poker.
Let’s assume you are playing a game of standard Texas Hold'em wherein you have been dealt 6 of hearts and 7 of hearts for starting hand. As soon as the initial cards are dealt, your opponent who is in a late position raises pre-flop, holding suited connected cards you decide to call her pre-flop raise. Thereafter the flop round comes and 3 cards – Jack of spades, 2 of diamonds and 8 of hearts are dealt face up. If you observe closely after the flop round you have actually got a backdoor flush draw and a backdoor straight draw. Hereon, you have two options you can either decide to outrightly fold your cards or play along with your backdoor draws. Let’s assume you take your chance and decide to peel poker by calling another bet to see if your hand can improve any further on the turn.
Let’s say the turn card comes out to be a 3 of clubs. In such a situation, as you might have guessed your hand is not worth anything anymore and as an astute poker player you should certainly fold to another bet.
Now, let’s imagine an alternative scenario. Instead of 3 of clubs, the turn card comes out to be a 5 of hearts. Fortunately enough, both your backdoor flush draw and backdoor straight draw have now improved to a flush draw and straight draw and in standard poker terms you are now in possession of an open-ended straight flush draw. Given the fact that you are now holding a very strong drawing hand, you are well in line to win the massive pot.
Conclusion
Generally speaking, peeling in poker should always be used as an integral part of a balanced poker strategy, in an attempt to bluff and confuse the players at the table. Since your opponents have no idea of what you are holding by using peel poker as a part of your strategy you can pretty much tilt the game in your favour.
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