Understanding the Gap Concept

The gap concept is one of the most important principles in Limit Holdem, No Limit Holdem, and poker tournaments in general. The gap concept states that a player needs a better hand to call an opening raise then he would to open the raise in the same hand. The difference in hand strength under the two different scenarios is the “gap”.

Originally coined by poker legend David Sklansky, the gap concept will help you decide which hands to play in different positions. Note the principles in the gap concept are very important. Although some of them seem rudimentary in the abstract – if you follow these rules carefully you’ll save a lot of money going all in at the wrong times.

The Gap Concept Preflop

In any cash game or online tournament (MTT Strategy), the gap concept and your table position tell you which hands you can play. For example, if you’re in middle position with AJ and there has been no raise in front of you, then opening the bet here is a good idea.

On the other hand, if you’re in late position, and an opening bet has already been made, you’re going to need a better hand than AJ to call in this situation. Regardless of other callers behind you, the gap concept stipulates you’ll need a better hand than AJ to call a bet from early position (early position bets carry more weight than late position). The chances are, if you call a bet of 2-4xBB from a player in early position or UTG, then you’re probably behind already to a hand like AQ or AK.

Playing Pocket Pairs and the Gap Concept

Many players in online tournaments (and sometimes cash games) prefer to go all in with medium or low pocket pairs preflop. However the gap concept states that if there has been any 3betting (re-raise preflop) than you’re low pocket pairs will be dominated. This is because the strength of hand required to re-raise an opening bet preflop is almost certainly going to be premium i.e. AA, KK, QQ, JJ. Your low pocket pairs are almost certainly going to be behind, and you should not consider going all-in in any situation when you’re in late position with 3betting happening in the pot.

Difference between Gap Concept in Tournaments and Cash Games

The implications and rules for the gap concept in tournaments and cash games vary. This is a mistake many cash game players in multi-table tournaments make. The fact is, because tournaments are so much more aggressive than cash games, the gap concept loses its value and principles in many respects. Value shoving for example, an ever present strategy in tournaments, distorts the important and principles of the gap concept. Someone can be raising with marginal hands like 45 suited or A9 preflop in tournaments in order to attack the blinds. Although this may happen occasionally in cash games; it is more likely the player simply has a better hand.

Related posts:

1. No Limit Hold ‘Em Starting Hands
2. Get Paid Off on Big Hands – The Value Bet Concept
3. M-Ratio Tournament Strategy
4. Holding on to your big stack
5. Playing Small Ball Poker