Online Poker Forum - Categorizing Bad Beats

aztecgator · Two Pair Joined: 28 Jul 2005 Posts: 70

This is meant for Hold' em. I propose we characterize bad beats as described below with the further understanding that moderate and severe bad beats can only occur after the flop has been seen. This implies that all pre-flop all-in situations can, at best, result in only minor bad beats.

Severe - when you lose to two specific running cards. Examples include (1) you hold quads after the flop and your opponent catches two cards to make a straight flush, (2) you hold top set after the flop to your opponents pocket (under) pair and he catches running cards to make quads, etc. Basically, in the 100:1 - 1000:1 range.

Moderate - when you lose to two running cards. Examples include (1) losing to runner-runner straights or flushes, (2) losing to a set on the turn or river when you hold an overpair to his pair, etc. Basically, in the 10:1 - 100:1 range.

Minor - when you lose with an overpair to his two non-paired cards, when you lose with a non-paired hand that dominates his non-paired hand, when you have at least one overcard to his two cards or when your opponents flops a draw and catches to beat you. Examples include preflop all-in situations, such as, (1) AA vs 27, (2) AK vs AQ, (3) AQ vs. KJ, (4) AK vs JT, etc, and cases where you flop top pair or even a set and your opponent flops a straight or flush draw and catches by the river to win. Basically, in the 1:1 - 10:1 range

Situations that are essentially 1:1 ("coinflips"), such as a small pair vs. two over cards, do not qualify as bad beats.

I have experienced many minor and moderate bad beats (mostly minor ones) but only one severe bad beat and that occurred at a brick/mortar casino. I was playing $1/$2 NLH at Caesar's Palace in Atlantic City and had just sat down after buying in for the maximum of $300. After a few hands of folding, I looked down to see AA. I was UTG and raised to $6. The big stack at the table re-raised to $25 and the button cold-called. I re-raised to $50 and the big stack pushed all-in. The button thought awhile and then folded (after the hand he said he had QQ). I called. The big stack had KK. After a flop of A rag rag rainbow, I was looking to win a good pot. But, as fate would have it, the turn and river were both K's and it was time to reload. I, of course, ranted and raved about how rigged the card room was and that you would never see anything like that happen at an online casino... Razz

jbrennen · Straight Flush Joined: 16 Aug 2005 Posts: 422

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