If you are a poker enthusiast, then you must have heard the term ‘Dog’ quite often. In the game of poker, a dog is a term used to describe a player or a hand that is an underdog or has a low probability of winning the pot. The term ‘Dog’ is mostly used in context with a particular hand, but it can also be applied to the player as well.
In simpler terms, if your hand has less chance of winning than your opponent’s hand, then you are considered the ‘Dog.’ The term ‘Dog’ is not used in all poker variants, but it is commonly used in Texas Hold’em and Omaha.
In Texas Hold’em, a player can be considered as a dog pre-flop if they have a weaker starting hand than their opponents. For example, if you have 7-2 offsuit while your opponent has pocket Aces pre-flop, then you are considered as an underdog or ‘Dog.’ Similarly, after the flop, if you have fewer outs to make your hand compared to your opponent’s hand, then you become the ‘Dog.’
In Omaha poker games, since each player receives four hole cards instead of two like in Texas Hold’em, there are more possibilities for players to become dogs. In this variant of poker game, players tend to play more hands compared to Texas Hold’em. Therefore it’s common for players to become dogs during post-flop play.
Now that we know what ‘Dog’ means let’s discuss some strategies that can help you handle being the dog better.
1) Don’t get emotional
When you realize that you are the dog in any given hand or situation, try not to get emotional or frustrated. Remembering that poker is primarily about making good decisions based on probabilities will help you maintain composure and make rational decisions.
2) Understand Outs
To improve your chances of winning and avoid being the dog in future hands, it’s essential to understand the concept of ‘Outs.’ Outs are the remaining cards in the deck that can help you improve your hand. The more outs you have, the higher your chances of winning.
3) Pot Odds
Pot odds refer to the ratio of the amount of money in the pot compared to the amount required to call a bet. When you have a good understanding of pot odds, you can make informed decisions about whether or not to call a bet.
4) Bluffing
Bluffing is an essential element of poker gameplay. If you are playing as a dog, then bluffing can be an effective strategy. By making big bets or raising, you can potentially force your opponents to fold their hands, even if they have better cards.
In conclusion, being called a ‘Dog’ in a poker game doesn’t necessarily mean that you’ve lost the hand. As long as you keep a clear head and use some basic strategies like understanding outs and pot odds, you may still win despite being considered as an underdog or ‘Dog.’
Remember that poker is primarily about making good decisions based on probabilities. So try not to get emotional and always keep a rational approach towards every decision that you make at every stage of the game.
