Online Poker : Poker Bluff
Again, it may be common sense but you can also use your
position to bluff. Personally, when playing live, I only
bluff if I think I can pick up some sort of tell as well.
Maybe a quick check, a sigh, a look of disgust as an ace
hits the flop. This isn't quite so easy to spot while playing
on the internet against an opponent 4,000 miles away. Apparently
there are books available on internet tells nowadays, but
I'm a little sceptical myself. I haven't read them myself
but maybe I should.
Ok let's assume that you have progressed and the game is
2$/$4 Limit Hold'em. Everyone passes to you on the blind.
You raise your pair of 8s because there are only 2 hands
behind you. But the small blind re-raises and you should
call. The flop comes A K 2 off suit. The small blind checks.
Well either he is playing sneaky or maybe he raised you
with a pair of 9s, 10s, Js, Qs, or even a smaller pair than
yours in the first place, or he is a suited connectors raiser.
In all these cases he has assumed you called him with an
Ace. So make a bet. You might win a $13 pot with a $2 bluff.
If he raises, give it up. The clever git trap checked you,
he's probably got AK or AQ and you lost an extra $2 in the
pot. If he smooth calls then maybe he's got it maybe he
hasn't, and maybe you hit an 8 on Fourth Street. If he checks
again, well you have to make a judgement on how sneaky he
is. If he's an honest Joe, make another bet. You may pick
up a $17 pot for a $4 bluff...
Ok, although the moral of today's story is that you can
use your position to bluff, I must unfortunately add a warning...
most bluffers get carried away, do it too much and lose
in the long run. So don't get carried away. Patience is
probably the most important Poker virtue. I just wish I
had some!
|
