Runner Runner
What Does Runner Runner Mean in Poker?
Runner Runner refers to a situation in poker where a player needs two specific cards to complete a hand, and they are both dealt consecutively on the turn and the river.
When You Might Hear Or Use The Term Runner Runner
This term is commonly used during gameplay to describe a hand that improves dramatically with the last two community cards. For instance, when a player calls a bet on the flop with a weak draw and hits perfect turn and river cards to win the hand.
In-Game Example
Imagine you have 45, and the board is 792. You need a 6 and an 8 to complete a straight. The turn is 6, and the river is 8, completing your hand with a runner runner straight.
Strategy / Tips
Best Practice: Understand the odds when chasing runner runner draws; they are long shots, so it’s usually better to use them sparingly unless the pot odds are favorable.
Common Mistake: Overvaluing the potential of runner runner draws, leading to costly mistakes when they don’t hit.
Pro Tips: Use runner runner possibilities to bluff on the turn if you sense weakness in your opponent’s play. Online, watch for patterns indicating opponents chasing long draws.
Differences Playing Over the Table vs Online
At a live table, players often reveal excitement or frustration when hoping for or hitting runner runner draws, while online, it requires careful observation of betting patterns to detect desperation plays.
Alternative Names
Backdoor draw.
FAQs
Q: Is chasing runner runner draws profitable?
A: Generally, no. The odds are quite low, so it’s crucial to calculate pot odds and implied odds before deciding to chase.
Q: Can runner runner draws be used strategically?
A: Yes, they can be part of a bluffing strategy when combined with aggressive play and board reading.
