You peek down to find that you've finally been dealt that monster hand that you've been patiently anticipating. You cap your hole cards and then you decide to make a sneaky play. You limp in and pray for someone to bump the pot for a nice-sized raise. You are looking to set a trap and spring it with a re-raise of sizable proportion. After all, you want solid value for this long-awaited hand. You simply are not willing to risk putting in the initial raise, only to see all of your opponents fold. You are questing for much more than the blind money. You want to build a nice pot.
While trapping is sometimes a profitable move, I find that many poker players are not always motivated by money when they trap. Trapping is a perhaps the most seductive move in poker. Slowplaying a monstrous hand to blind-side an unsuspecting opponent is the emotional rush that many poker players live for. It allows us to exact revenge against a player that has been bullying us, or one that took our chips earlier in the match. It gives us the rush that first attracted us to the game, with excitement at the root of the reaction. Another element of the trap is a boost in self-confidence. Because poker is the ultimate game of psychology, some players look to trap simply to outsmart their opposition.
Slow-playing with the intent to trap should never be a psychological decision. It should never be about revenge. It should never be an attempt to recoup a sagging sense of poker self-worth. Trapping should not be attempted because it is cool, sexy, or the way that the pros do it on television. Likewise, it should not be done because you want your long-awaited pocket aces to win more than the blinds. Instead, trapping should be strictly a strategic move. The situation must present itself in such a way that it is a profitable, smart time to set and spring a trap. There should not be the possibility of several players seeing the flop due to your limp. There should be someone yet to act who is usually quite aggressive and likely to raise with inferior hands. The chip stacks of your opponents, the blinds, and your stack should all align in a way that's beneficial and conducive to a trap.
Way too many amateurs allow their nice hands to be bested by unlucky flops that are the result of slow-playing. Many continue to lay their traps too long, allow opponents to see free or inexpensive drawing cards on the turn and river. Trapping is gambling, and must be done skillfully and wisely. It should only be done when the playing conditions are right to allow it to be a profitable play. If you find yourself trapping for the thrill, fun, sense of revenge, or a feeling of empowerment, it is time to step back and re-inspect yourself and your game.
The professionals rarely allow emotionality to influence them and their play. As an amateur, you must venture to do the same. Make sure that you are setting traps at the right times, and for the right reasons.
