Playing our Hypothetical Hands on Fourth Street

Let's see what happens in the betting.

Andy

Bob

Chuck

Ed

Greg

Bob gets the option to bet first, because his A-9 is the highest hand showing. He thinks his hand is likely the best out there, and wants both to get more money into the pot, and to try to get some players to fold. His bet will accomplish one or both of these goals.

Chuck is happy with his "open-end" straight, but realizes all he has at the moment is potential, so he just calls.

Ed decides his virtually impossible-to-improve hand isn't worth playing, and makes the smart decision to fold. He would have saved even more if he got out immediately, but at least he isn't compounding his error by hoping for a miracle. About the best he could realistically hope for is to make two pair, Eights and Threes, and even if he manages to make this hand, the chances are it won't win. If, looking at Ed's hand, you decide that you would continue to play if you were in his seat, you are much, much too optimistic to have a chance to win at poker right now.

Greg knows Bob can't have a pair of Aces, and decides to call also. Folding would probably have been a better choice. Greg can't make aces, one of his Kings just went to Andy (who could hold a pair of Kings already), his flush possibility is very remote, and while he could make a straight, he would need to catch two perfect cards in three chances-not a very promising situation.

Andy should fold, but can't resist his double long-shot possibilities, and calls. The additional €16 brings the pot to a total of €65.