This is an example of not betting enough to scare off a drawing hand. The hand is between Lee Drebbin and Malcolm Harwood. Lee is from Blackpool and works as a housing project manager. He considers himself to be a recreational player. Malcolm, in contrast, has been playing for 42 years and is now a full-time professional poker player. He started playing in the RAF in 1958 when he was doing his national service and is one of the most friendly and gregarious players on the European circuit. The hand developed as follows:

Four players stay for a flop of 9H, 8H, 3D .

Lee has 9-9 making top trips but he has to be wary of players staying with four-flushes and four-straights hoping to fill their hands. He bets £400 but perhaps should have bet more to discourage the draws.

Malcolm calls with AH, 6H .

Fourth street brings the 10H, making it possible that a flush or a straight is out.

Lee checks.

Malcolm bets £200.

Lee calls. He must suspect that he is behind but is hoping to fill the full house.

Fifth street brings the 7H (making a straight flush for Malcolm).

Malcolm bets £200 all-in.

Lee passes his trips as now there are four cards to the straight flush on the board. On the flop, Lee has a classic dilemma. Does he bet a large amount knowing that he will win the pot there and then but have no possibility of gaining more from an extremely good hand? Or, does he take the risk and let his opponent in cheap? Lee took the latter course and it did not payoff on this occasion. On other occasions, however, it might have worked well for him.