2 replies to this topic

[The Student]

One of the elements that puts poker apart from almost all other forms of gambling and gaming is the ability to win some of the biggest pots with some of the worst ranked hands in the game. Being a student of the game, the bluff and semi-bluff is one of the skills I’m trying to sharpen. I'm still trying to figure out the anatomy of the bluff and would enjoy reading a few cases from the members about bluffs they have executed, or bluffs that have been executed on them. Anyone care to share?

[Smasharoo]

1. Read Theory of Poker. It esxplains bluff theory in minute detail.2. Here are some very common types of bluffs:The blind steal. Raising in late position to attack players in the blinds with any two cards. Quite common in limit and NL as well. A common satalite play is to push all in with anything if it's folded to you on the button reasoning that you'll nearly allways pick up the blinds from players with any two randim cards.The position raise. Betting big in late position with a hand that misses the flop when a pot has been checked to you, for instance on the button. The scare card raise. Three to a flush hits on the river and you think your opponnet was paying something other than a flush draw. You bet big with the worst hand to represent the flush.Etc.

[wrto4556]

Like smash says, its all about position and representation.I pulled off a big bluff the other day. I had been playing way too tight for a no-limit cash game, so I decided to open up a little...I raise 4xBB with 7 T from a semi-mid position. I get one caller, the BB. The flop comes down 8 8 K I got a flush draw...He bets out into me, a smallish bet like 2xBB and I raise him 4XBB and he calls. The pot has gotten to be about 20xBB. The turn is a blank and I check after he does so I see the river for free. It's another dud. The way I played the hand it looked like I had a king but was afraid of the pair on board. Or I had trips and was trying to "sandbag". I put the guy on a small pocket pair...maybe sevens. So he checks again on the river and I know that if I check, I lose, so I bet about 30xBB....he conciders, then folds and I rake a pretty decent pot. Whew.