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What is a Donk bet in poker?

A “donk” bet is usually a small, leading bet made by the non-aggressor in the hand. It is always made by the player who's out of position (betting first,) post-flop. So, for example, a player raises just before the flop, causing another player to “call” to defend the big blind.

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As most online poker players know, the key to success is keeping your opponents guessing. This means constantly changing up your strategy, trying new things and learning from the outcome of each game that you play. If you spend time studying the ins and outs of the best online poker strategies (and the worst,) you’ll probably have come across the term “donk” betting and wondered if it’s something that you should be paying more attention to.

What is a “donk?”

First, let’s delve deeper into why the type of bet in question is called a “donk” bet. The term “donk” is a derogatory way of referring to an inexperienced or “bad” player – usually one who doesn’t have a complete grasp on the rules of the game. It’s slightly different from, and more offensive than, the more commonly heard term “fish,” which is used to refer to someone who’s simply new to the gambling world but working hard to improve their skills. The term “donk” derives from the word “donkey.” Donkeys are known to be stubborn and relatively thoughtless – qualities that most well-versed poker players believe inexperienced, yet audacious players have, too.

What is a “donk” bet?

A “donk” bet is usually a small, leading bet made by the non-aggressor in the hand. It is always made by the player who’s out of position (betting first,) post-flop. So, for example, a player raises just before the flop, causing another player to “call” to defend the big blind. Following the flop, the player in the big blind leads with a bet, and this is called a “donk” bet. Because this type of bet is named after the sort of player highlighted above (the sort of player that nobody strives to be!) it’s easy to assume that it revolves around a betting strategy that good poker players should be avoiding. But it isn’t quite that simple.

Is a “donk” bet an acceptable part of a good poker strategy?

Back in the day, the answer would be “no.” Ultimately, as explained above, this type of betting is unconventional and usually employed by inexperienced players who don’t understand how important position is when making a leading bet. But, in modern times, many of the world’s most respected poker pros employ “donk” betting occasionally in their play. That’s the secret, though: to use the approach very rarely (maybe 1 or 2% of the time) to confuse your opponents and keep them on their toes.

When is the right time to place a “donk” bet?

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How do I file gambling winnings?

Whether it's $5 or $5,000, from the track, an office pool, a casino or a gambling website, all gambling winnings must be reported on your tax return as "other income" on Schedule 1 (Form 1040) (opens in new tab). If you win a non-cash prize, such as a car or a trip, report its fair market value as income.

Your Losses Might Be Deductible

Did you have a bad night at the blackjack table or pick the wrong horse to win? There's a possible silver lining if you lose a bet or two — your gambling losses might be deductible. (Gambling losses include the actual cost of wagers plus related expenses, such as travel to and from a casino or other gambling establishment.) There are a couple of important catches, though. First, unless you're a professional gambler (more on that in a second), you have to itemize in order to deduct gambling losses (itemized deductions are claimed on Schedule A (opens in new tab)). Unfortunately, most people don't itemize. So, if you claim the standard deduction, you're out of luck twice — once for losing your bet and once for not being able to deduct your gambling losses. Second, you can't deduct gambling losses that are more than the winnings you report on your return. For example, if you won $100 on one bet but lost $300 on a few others, you can only deduct the first $100 of losses. If you were totally down on your luck and had absolutely no gambling winnings for the year, you can't deduct any of your losses. If you're a professional gambler, you can deduct your losses as business expenses on Schedule C (opens in new tab) without having to itemize. However, a note of caution: An activity only qualifies as a business if your primary purpose is to make a profit and you're continually and regularly involved in it. Sporadic activities or hobbies don't qualify as a business.

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