“Gap Concept” is the term which was first introduced by well known poker author David Sklansky, Gap Concept basically refers to the idea that a poker player needs a better hand to call a raise than to open the pot themselves. Gap Concept can be used in multi-table poker tournaments; the Gap Concept is a synthesis, however, valid for any form of online poker and live poker as well.
Meaning of Gap in Gap Concept
Let me clear you first what exactly meant by concept of gap. Basically, it represents the “difference” in value between two hands: one open-raise and the one call. This difference is mainly from the different ranges assigned to the position of the players. If we assume that the first player to enter the pot from UTG is a solid player and aggressive, we can assume that he raises with a range JJ +, AQ +, KQs. And therefore, to call his raise one should at least have a hand that is in the middle of that range, so one can beat some of its hypothetical hands.
Understanding the hand range in Gap Concept
A possible range of call could be QQ +, AK. (Of course with “calling range” also means the possibility of re-raise). The Gap concept, which for simplicity we have exemplified the first position so as to reduce the playable hands, however, it becomes extremely important in late position where you play to grab the blinds. If we assume that the cutoff raise with hands like 44 +, A6 +, JT +, and you’re sitting on the button, you will have 2 disadvantages compared to the raiser: positional, since you’ll be the first to speak on the flop, and range, as your range must necessarily be narrow. This is the case where Gap Concept will help you to decide how to act in this situation.
Using Gap Concept
A good example of this condition may be represented by 88 +, A9 +, KQ +. This range could beat some of the hands of the initial raiser but your positional disadvantage with a good chance that you’ll need to make difficult decisions on the flop, will never give you any clue on the hand of your opponent.
However, we can see that the gap can be reversed with the use of a re-raise. Always assuming that the two players are the perfect TAG, solid and without any special “flair”, what would happen if the BB raised you? CO should now understand that BB has a hand that beats at least 2 / 3 of the range which could open by CO and then to make a call or an additional raise in turn should have one of the best hands of its range, and so on until you get to AA.
This is why when you face raise; you should tighten up substantially. You must have a stronger hand than what you would have required as a normal raising hand from that position to open the pot for a raise. The process of skimming through the hands of the gap concept, necessarily lead to the top pocket pair. So, you are not supposed to play dominated hand because it may be problematic to play dominated hand and this is why Gap Concept was introduced to poker world. Many times when you hit your ace, you might end up spending huge amount of money just to know you are second-best at showdown. This is where Gap Concept will help you to save your money from all this.
Phil Gordon explains the Gap Concept
Many players feel that “the gap concept” is a very old piece of poker strategy with no existence in present poker world. If anyone ask you to give a poker tips, you can surely pass on this poker strategy to him.