If you have ever searched “what does cooler mean in poker”, you will find varying examples. However, simply when 2 players have strong hands that can’t be folded, you have yourself a cooler situation. A simple example being two Aces vs two Kings or two 8s vs two 5s on an 852 board.
They occur to everyone and players typically par for too much attention to the,. That is not to say dealing with cooler is simple, especially when in the midst of a downswing. However, that is not what we want to talk in this Creatuforo article. We will explain the definition of cooler in poker. So, make sure you keep reading!
Understanding What Does Cooler Mean in Poker
Let’s start by understanding what does cooler mean in poker. This term actually has a very specific meaning, it is when two players who have put together extremely strong hands have led them to fight over a big pot, which one of them will lose the game.
It won’t happen often, however, when it seems like fate, or a whim of chance, that both players have seen that they have possibility and exploited their skills to be able to challenge for the pot with two strong hands destined, but to lose.
Then, why is it called a “cooler” in poker? Well, the concept originates from the world “cooler” in English. It refers to when there is a cold situation in which there is no possible way out, or that is impossible to avoid.
One thing you should remember about what does cooler mean in poker, there are no shortcuts to prevent it and it is impossible to avoid. Then, if it happens, you will have to expose yourself to lose with a more than good hand.
It is crucial here to manage the frustration it generates and avoid the tilt, as it is very easy to fall into a maelstrom of bad outcomes when you know that a very well-played game has resulted in a defeat.
Examples of Cooler in Poker
To understand more what does cooler mean in poker, it’s important to understand how the game develops as a result of the situations and choices made by the players.
It will lead two players to make a very good hand and that, at least for one of them, will mean losses in the game. So, check some examples of cooler in poker below.
1. Set over Set
A set over set will happen when two players have a pair in one hand and a pair on the flop. You can imagine if you have 8♣ 8♥, and your opponent has 9♥ 9♣, however, the flop shows 8ª 9♦ 2♥. Then, you will both have a strong hand, however, surely the one with the pair of 9s will end up losing.
2. Flush
Another example of what does cooler mean in poker, when two players have a flush (5 cards of the similar suit), however, one of them has a higher flush than the other. It will lead the one with the lower flush, despite having made a strong hand to end up losing a big amount of chips. For instance:
- You have A♣ J♣ 10♣ 8♣ 6♣
- Your opponent has 7♣ 6♣ 5♣ 4♣ 3♣
3. Full House vs Full House
Next example of what does cooler mean in poker, when one of the two players in the showdown has a full house of Aces Kings, and the other has a full house of Aces Kings. Without being a bad hand at all, the Aces full houses will most likely end up losing the Kings of full house.
4. Straight Flush
Perhaps, this will be the most painful cooler. Getting to tie the strongest hand there is in poker and see how you will lose because of the cards if frustrating to no end. For instance, this can be happened when you make 5♥ 6♥ 7♥ 8♥ 9♥ and your opponent makes a 10♥ J♥ Q♥ K♥ A♥ the royal flush
How to Avoid Poker Coolers
We hate to dash your hopes, however, about what does cooler mean in poker is actually inevitable. In many cases, you will HAVE to lose your stack. However, there are a few tips to reduce the loss in certain situations:
Don’t Build Pots
When you rather not be raised, don’t put money in the pot. When you are value betting AA in position on a T87 and the Turn is a J, it’s good to check back and assess on the River. Now, you can safely call medium size river bets based on your opponents tendencies and the card.
On what does cooler mean in poker, when it leads small for 1/2 pot on the river and occurs to have Q9, it would be no problem. You will just lose less than you would have by betting the Turn and getting increased. Moreover, you will also gain some valuable information.
Check/Call Rivers when Value Betting is Risky
If you find yourself OOP and not thrilled with value betting the river, you can just check-call. This will work well vs good aggressive hand readers who can push off hands by reading your bet size. A common situation is with a hand that was likely the best early on, however, the river might not be.
Beware of the Deceptively Strong Hand
On what does cooler mean in poker, the example of 98 on a T98 board is not as strong as it might seem. We are already toast from 67, QJ, T8, T9, and sets vs most opponents will play hands like this passively and be prepared to fold to big bets on later streets.
Conclusion
Now, you already know what does cooler mean in poker. It is important that you know how to act in situations where you experience a strong hand and still lose. The thing you should avoid above all is to fold as if letting that one-time flop have a negative impact on your play.
You should remember, in cooler, as with bad beats, you will lose because of the situations of the game, not because of poor play. Even though that makes it more frustrating, it is obviously better than losing because of poor play.