Donk Betting
12 February 2011 by 10kHero (Hand History)
A Donk Bet is defined as a bet out into the aggressor of a previous street. For example, if the big blind flat calls a steal attempt from the button, pre flop, then bets out into the button when first to act, on the flop.
Donk Betting is considered a little unorthodox mainly because modern players love to continuation bet. If you hit a hand on the flop it's usually more profitable in the long run to check/raise the flop rather than just betting straight out.
But there are instances when donk betting becomes a better option. If the initial aggressor has a low continuation-bet % and the flop is 'wet' (ie 5h6hTh) you might want to consider a donk bet if you have a hand like Ad-Td. Donk betting this spot removes the risk of giving a free card to the initial aggressor.
Here is a hand I encountered today, the villain is playing at 44/18
Poker Stars $1/$2 No Limit Hold'em - 7 players
SB: $90.60
BB: $112.80
UTG: $208.00
UTG+1: $218.80
MP: $205.75
CO: $200.40
Hero (BTN): $202.50
Pre Flop: ($3.00) Hero is BTN with T
Q
UTG calls $2, 3 folds, Hero raises to $8, 2 folds, UTG calls $6
I want to isolate the fish pre-flop so raise the button, he calls.
Flop: ($19.00) A
4
7 (2 players)
UTG bets $10, Hero raises to $22, UTG folds
He makes a donk bet on the flop. As the flop is very dry, with few draw possibilities, his donk bet makes no sense to me, surely if he had an ace he would check/raise in this spot. I test the water with a 3bet and sure enough he folds.
Final Pot: $39.00
Hero mucks T Q
Hero wins $37.10
(Rake: $1.90)
Here is another example which I didn't play so well. The key difference is the flop texture. The villain is a similar type of fish as before, playing at 28/3.
Poker Stars $1/$2 No Limit Hold'em - 7 players
BB: $200.00
UTG: $322.80
UTG+1: $276.60
MP: $203.50
CO: $243.55
Hero (BTN): $238.50
SB: $320.30
Pre Flop: ($3.00) Hero is BTN with 3
3
UTG calls $2, 3 folds, Hero raises to $8, 2 folds, UTG calls $6
Again, exactly the same pre-flop action as above. This villain loves to limp so I decide to raise from the button hoping to isolate. He calls.
Flop: ($19.00) J A T (2 players)
UTG bets $10, Hero raises to $22, UTG calls $12
The fish donk bets out at me, my thought process is the same as the previous hand. If he really had a strong hand surely he could check/raise here? But there is a difference, the flop is wetter than before, with a flush draw and straight draw possible, so actually his donk bet makes more sense. I think this but go ahead and 3bet the flop anyway.
Turn: ($63.00) 7 (2 players)
The fact he calls really should give me a clue that he has something, at least an ace in his hand. But as he's a weaker player, there is also a chance he taking some bizarre line and chasing a draw. I bet about half the pot (but looking back at this I think checking behind and giving up is a better option now. I have little fold equity against this type of player and know I'm beat).
UTG checks, Hero bets $30, UTG calls $30
River: ($123.00) Q (2 players)
UTG checks, Hero checks
He insta-calls my turn bet and the river is probably the best card I could use to fire a 3rd barrell bluff. But I feel like I've made a right mess of this hand and don't think I can represent a flush or straight and get this calling station to fold on the river so I frustratingly hit check and he wins the pot.
Final Pot: $123.00
UTG shows J A (two pair, Aces and Jacks)
Hero mucks 3 3
UTG wins $120.00
(Rake: $3.00)
So ignoring my terrible turn and river play for a moment, and going back to the donk bet on the flop. You can see why this time a donk bet made much more sense than the previous example. He hit a big two pair on the flop and didn't want to risk giving away any free cards by taking a check/raise line. This emphasises just how donk bets can be used effectively.
Usually when a weak player donk bets a dry flop (ie a relatively 'safe' flop with few draw possibilities) they are doing it as a complete bluff and you can 3bet them. But be more cautious if the flop is wet and especially if they call your 3bet, chances are they are strong.
