Play Behind

In the context of poker, 'Play Behind' typically refers to the practice of having additional chips or cash that are not in play, but available for use during a poker game. It is a term commonly used in cash games.

What Does "Play Behind" Mean in Poker?

In poker, 'Play Behind' generally refers to a situation where a player has extra chips or cash that are not immediately in play but can be brought into the game if needed. This practice is typically seen in cash games as opposed to tournament play.

For example, a player might bring $1000 to a $1/$2 No-Limit Hold'em game but only buy in for $200 initially, keeping the remaining $800 to 'Play Behind'. If they lose their initial buy-in, they can then add more money to their stack from the money they have set aside.

Play Behind can also refer to playing with money that is not available at the table. For instance, they might play through their entire $1000 buyin they came with but want to continue playing. In this case, players might agree to allow them to buyin for an extra $200, under the agreement that they will 'settle' any debts at a later point. This relies on trust between players and is more common amongst the high-stakes cash-game scene. Failure to pay will seriously damage a player's reputation and make it harder for them to play future games.

Example of "Play Behind"

For instance, a player might 'Play Behind' if they want to manage their risk, starting with a smaller stack and having the option to add more if needed.

In another scenario, a player might 'Play Behind' to give the impression they are playing with less money, potentially influencing the betting behavior of other players at the table.

• "I decided to Play Behind, buying in for only a portion of my bankroll and keeping the rest in reserve."
• "He played behind, starting with a smaller stack but having more chips available to add if needed."
• "She played behind to manage her risk, not wanting to put all her money in play at once."