What is a Trap in Poker?
1 minute
Last Updated: December 28, 2023
Trapping in poker is playing a strong hand passively in order to trick the opponent to bet more strongly or get in the pot when they would have otherwise quit. It’s the opposite of fast playing, which is why it’s also commonly known as slow playing.
Trap Poker Example:
You have an AcTc hand, your opponent has a KhJd hand, and the board after the river reads Kc Qc Jc Jh 8s. Obviously, you have the winning hand, but you don’t want to scare off the other player, so you lay the trap by checking. If the trap is successful, your opponent will throw more money into the pot.
