Is It Wise To Show A Bluff?

[James D 0]

So why would you ever show a bluff??I'll tell you why - There's nothing sweeter than taking a pot off a guy with absolute rags, and then showing it to him as he shoves his hand in the muck... It'll send him on complete tilt for the rest of the session...And everyone else at the table?? They'll get to see you're willing to bluff... you might have the nuts... they'll never be able to figure you out!What do you think guys?

[Zach6668 513]

If it helps my table image.

[SpiderGuard 0]

Seems to make it harder to bluff in the future. If you're ready to switch to nut-peddling mode, then go for it. If not, then I don't like to show.

[JMoney2681 0]

Seems to make it harder to bluff in the future. If you're ready to switch to nut-peddling mode, then go for it. If not, then I don't like to show.

Questions as broad as the OP's are all situational. Just because you show a bluf doesn't mean you have to tighten up for the rest of the session/tourney. But usually no, don't show your bluffs. Like Zach said, if it will help your table image in some certain way. go for it. Also, showing a bluff and then bluffing again usually WILL work because villian will be thinking, "there's no way he is bluffing again." It's a psychological thing, and should only be used if you know what you're doing and what you're trying to convey. You're giving away information, you just have to know WHAT information they are picking up and what they're thinking.

[JLocke 0]

I very rarely show my bluffs because usually I don't think it's very helpful at all. If, however, there's a guy at the table that goes on tilt very easily I might show my hand now and then to throw him off his game.

[bdc30 0]

I showed a bluff once at a casino. Guy almost came across the table at me.$10-20 limit.6 way action PF, I have 2 2 ,I'm last to act to a raised pot, in the BB (raise UTG)Flop comes X Y Z (doesn't matter, no deuce hit)There's $120 in the pot. I check, UTG bets out, all the others call, there's now ~$180 in there, $10 to call, so I call.Turn is Z , gets checked around.River is M (still no deuces) I INSTA-BET out, everyonefolds. I show the deuces. A guy on the other side folded a heart...Security was called. He was out of his mind....

[Abbaddabba 0]

Only if they (and the people who will see it in general) already have an inclination to call too much.But the catch is that you should be rarely be bluffing someone who calls too much. Rarely - but there're situations when it's appropriate.

[Actuary 3]

live I show almost all my hands (winners) bluffs or otherwiseonline I got that thing set to muck and no longer show.used to show strong hands sometimesnever showed a bluff that I recall

[BudBundy 0]

live I show almost all my hands (winners) bluffs or otherwiseonline I got that thing set to muck and no longer show.used to show strong hands sometimesnever showed a bluff that I recall

You didn't answer his question.

[Actuary 3]

You didn't answer his question.

I did implicitly

[Fade2241 0]

I show my initial bluff so I can bluff again. Most players instantly think that if you show one bluff you are setting yourself to get paid off when you hit the nuts so they will typically fear your bets later in the session.It’s key though to only show one bluff and then muck the others – you don’t want the reputation of a maniac unless you know how to work the table that way. And if you never show your cards one way or another, you are more likely to get called down at one point for pure curiosity of what you’re capable of.

[Actuary 3]

And if you never show your cards one way or another, you are more likely to get called down at one point for pure curiosity of what you’re capable of.

that's a good thing considering you won't be bluffing near as often as you are value betting.

[mtdesmoines 2]

So why would you ever show a bluff??I'll tell you why - There's nothing sweeter than taking a pot off a guy with absolute rags, and then showing it to him as he shoves his hand in the muck... It'll send him on complete tilt for the rest of the session...And everyone else at the table?? They'll get to see you're willing to bluff... you might have the nuts... they'll never be able to figure you out!What do you think guys?

I don't piss around with a table full of players I respect. They get nothing. But if I'm playing with bums, I show them. But you have to watch it, you'll turn the entire table into calling stations and they'll call you down with anything and consistently outdraw you.

[iggymcfly 0]

So, um. I've got a poker question. Do you think that when you have big hands, you should bet them or just check? I watched Rounders the other day, and if you just check and check when you have a good hand, it seems like you can really trick the other guy. This is called "slow-playing".Then, the other day, I got into a 3/6 limit game, and I got AA! Pocket Rockets! I just called to be tricky. Some guy raised me, and I just called again. I ended up calling all the way to the river, and all he had was a pair of tens. Boy was he ever surprised when I turned ROCKETS over! He had no idea! So, uh, what do you think guys?

[Actuary 3]

So, um. I've got a poker question.

that's under the heading of mixing up your play.It's very advanced and I would stay away from it if I were you.Play ABC until you get to the $3/6 tables.That's where you'll start seeing a lot of pros who will see right thru you when you raise from Early Position (that's one of the first 3 seats to act before the flop) and they will laydown their pockets. post some hands and I'll try to help

[Fade2241 0]

that's a good thing considering you won't be bluffing near as often as you are value betting.

Well that depends on the player and their style but you are right for most players that’s a good thing. I don't think most players should show their bluffs unless they really know what they are doing.

[James D 0]

So, um. I've got a poker question. Do you think that when you have big hands, you should bet them or just check? I watched Rounders the other day, and if you just check and check when you have a good hand, it seems like you can really trick the other guy. This is called "slow-playing".Then, the other day, I got into a 3/6 limit game, and I got AA! Pocket Rockets! I just called to be tricky. Some guy raised me, and I just called again. I ended up calling all the way to the river, and all he had was a pair of tens. Boy was he ever surprised when I turned ROCKETS over! He had no idea! So, uh, what do you think guys?

So....umm....... you don't like the topic huh?? Pretty stupid thing to post?I mean, a pro would never say anything like I said in the OP would he? Or... would he...?Good day!

[7s7c 0]

I still always get a kick out of agg. blind stealers showing the one hand they raised near the button with like AJ or something as if it's supposed to give them credit for all the others so as to avoid getting played back at. Always kills me.

[aucu 3]

I never show.

[Acid_Knight 2]

I never show.

When playing NL, I show most of my hands for one reason - it won't matter.. I am extremely unpredicatble and I play TONS of hands. People think that they know how I play but once they realize that I make the same bet with air, the nuts or a draw or middle pair, they can't figure out what I'm doing. I like showing the hands so that they "remember" how I play my hands because they all look the same.Basically I do it so that people will think that they're getting a line on my play when in fact they aren't.

[try__an__hit 0]

Will only show if i do not like the guy at the table and i happen to bluff him, other wise i will tend just to muck it.

[dbrent2 0]

I showed alot last night, just to change my table image. I am in a regular $1-2 NLHE game twice a week. Max buy-in is $300, which few buy-in for (I am one who does). The play is real LAG, and they don't get off hands. My style is TAG, a little looser on the back end (no jokes please). I wasn't getting paid off on a lot of the hands that I should have been, so I started bluffing and showing, and it has worked so far. I am a firm believer that you need to change your image to keep being profitable.BTW, I am winning about 500 a week in this game. Definately helps my bank account

[ThreeBet 0]

As with any question/situation in poker .... it depends.I try and be aware of my table image at all times and if showing a bluff, the nuts or even a tough lay down will help me AT THAT TIME, then I'll do it. I'll go hours and hours without showing anything (if it helps my image) and there will also be sessions where I end up showing a ton of hands.I'll also make some donk moves sometimes with the clear intention of showing it at the end to enhance a certain image if need be. I also try and track "who was at my table when" I have made certain moves (or even when I've made a mistake during a hand) as they will remeber that when they see me sit down and I can use that against them.As long as you know why you're giving the information and how you plan on taking advantage of what they "know" about you then go for it. There's nothing better than knowing what your opponents think about how you play.

[GambleToWin 0]

I play really aggressive so I don't like to show my bluffs. If your a tight player and show your bluff maybe next time you'll get paid off for your big hands. For myself I don't like to show.

[Uppie_ 0]

I don't like to becuase I constantly CB and just take down pots on the flop without much resistance where if I show a bluff I generally get my CB's called more and have to work harder and hit hands to win pots. Also I don't like to show bluffs because then I am going to get played back more and be more inclined to to call with weaker hand because I think i might be getting played back at becuase of my new image. So I just don't like it for that reason. I would rather not show play aggressively and let people think I am bluffing a lot and not be and get paid that way.