Jan 11
24
The concept of the gap revolves around the requirements for playing a hand. A hand’s starting requirements are not just dependent on the cards dealt; it is also based upon where you are position-wise. The combination of these two factors is what experts refer to as the gap.
Another way to visualize this concept is to picture a rift between the hand that is raising before you and your hand. If the player doesn’t play a lot of hands, but waits for the very best hands before they raise, the gap between the quality of their hand and yours is going to be large. But if the player is loose, and they will raise with just about anything, the gap is going to be considerably less, if it is even there at all.
The gap concept is a difficult one because it is extremely tough to apply. If you are in second position with a medium pair in your pocket and the person in first position raises, it is sometimes correct to fold your mid-pair.
Why wouldn’t you raise this hand? Well, if the person who acts before you is a tight player like players at PartyPoker.net, who will only play premium hands, they probably already have you beat, either with a higher pair or an ace and a king.
The most important concept to remember when applying the gap is that you need to be observant of your opponents and then adjust your play according to what the gap tells you to do.