Sandwich in Poker

Sandwich is a poker term denoting the situation in the game when one of the players is between two aggressive opponents. In this case, he is forced to make decisions after one player, and after that has also to decide before another aggressive opponent who will exert additional pressure. Thus, the player is sandwiched between opponents resulting in an analogy with a sandwich.

A sandwich in poker is a position in multipot game when you do not have either the first or the last word. Usually, when talking about a sandwich in poker, they mean post-flop game, but a similar situation can also happen on the pre-flop.

Consider one of the typical pre-flop sandwiches that occur both in tournament and cash games.

MTT, 6-max, Middle Stage

Stacks are in accordance with the positions:

• UTG (40bb),
• MP (40bb),
• CO Hero (40bb),
• BU (40bb),
• SB (50bb),
• BB (20bb).

UTG opens with a raise of 2.5bb, MP folds, Hero 3-bets to 7bb from CO. Then follows the double call of the 3-bet from the button, SB folds and 4-bet pushes at 20bb from the player in BB position.

The move returns to the original raiser (UTG) who folds and Hero must make his decision without closing the round. Now, push on 20bb goes before the Hero, and 3-bet call-caller, who invested 7bb in the pot, is after him.

The game strategy largely depends on the strength of your hand, the style of opponent’s game, dynamics, etc., However, if you do not have a premium hand and did not bluff with 3-betting, the decision will not be easy and unambiguous. Imagine yourself in the Hero position with a hand from the spectrum of JJ-TT, AQs +, AKo, when he confronts little-known players, his 3-bet is cold-called, and then goes the push. Should you go all-in, call or fold?

As for post-flop, the game in a poker sandwich can be technically divided into two situations: a game with initiative and without it. However, in both cases you are less likely to bluff due to the fact that you are playing in multipot. When faced with a retaliatory aggression you will continue with a stronger spectrum, as the ranges of opponents in the multipot are substantially narrowed.

Playing in poker sandwich position with an initiative is one of the most common situations. In general, in most post-flop pots you should become a pre-flop aggressor, as you will cold-call on the pre-flop much less often than raise.

Without initiative, your game in a poker sandwich will even more depend on getting into the board. You are also much less likely to slowplay strong ready hands and will narrow the spectrum of aggression.

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