Watching the TV shows, bluffing may looks like easy but in reality, it required a deeper analysis. Because of this, we created a separate site for Bluff. We hope that the site bluff.eatpoker.com will be made useful to readers. We will make the site more entertaining as well as educational. Hope you will enjoy our Bluff site.
A cash game in Baguio. All players were already drunk.
Dealer pick a new deck of card. He requested the Big Blind to cut the deck. The big blind doesn’t want to cut. The dealer made a false cut. Player #1 taps the back of player #2. The dealer made another false cut. Player #2 taps the back of player #3.
Cards were deals-in.
Players #1, #2 and #3 folds. The button was thinking as he saw Players #1, #2 and #3 preparing their chips to leave. Button decided to fold after 60 seconds. Now it is the battle of the blinds. However, they preferred not to continue and returned the blinds back to their stack.
The button player was curious. He paid for the “Rabbit” (meaning to look at the coming community cards). All players were curiously looking at the dealer.
Community cards reveled that the Big Blind should have won a large pot with his suited Ace King making into a Royal Flush. Everybody looks at the folded cards. Players #1, #2 and #3 with pocket Queens, pocket Kings, pocket Jacks, button player with his pocket Aces.
Finally, Everybody cash-out to watch a free live boxing fight in the street, the “Button vs the Big Blind”.
Pot Limit Omaha is now being introduced to Baguio Players. Some Texas Holdem Players are not studying the strategies for Pot Limit Omaha. Of course, they are targeting the beginners playing at poker clubs in Metro Manila.
Bluff is a psychological approach. In practice, bluff is not as effective in practice game or play monies game. Bluff is more effective in a real game. You use bluff to exploit the feeling of fear by your opponent. If your opponent doesn’t fear you or the situation, then Bluff is NOT effective.
Do not bluff a “Calling Station” because he will call you anyway.
Note: Preflop bluff should played only by masters. Beginner’s bet are usually called by masters even when they raise because they can easily be outplayed.
Actual C-Game, Baguio City Philippines, 2010.
After some series of limpers, “13HQ.com” (our hero) attack the limpers with pot size bet. Everybody fold. “13HQ.com” wins. He didn’t show his cards. Was it a bluff? “13HQ.com” was known for his super-tight play. He will fold his small blind and wait for better cards to come. When he play cards and raise against the limpers, will you call? Or fold? The safer decision is to fold even if there is a possibility of a bluff. You are playing against the Urban Legend.
To call with 77 – 22 (Small Pairs), you are aiming for your opponent’s entire stack. You must also be aware that your chance of hitting a trips in the flop is 8:1. Hence to be in the break-even scenario, you and your opponent must have a deep stack and that is 8 times the amount that you need to call. Otherwise, it is not profitable. Please see the topics on Implied Odds.
TT, 99, and 88 can be played like JJ or it can also be played like Small Pairs (77-22).
23 is a Trash Hand. If you are a beginner, do not play this hand. Just fold. Don’t play like a master if you are only a beginner.
Actual C-Game, Baguio City Philippines, 2010.
A player raises pot size. He got plenty of chips, a deep stack. WW (our hero), called with his deep stack and with his trash hands 32. Flop was 22x. His opponent makes a continuation bet. After some betting and raising, all their chips went to the center. At the showdown, WW showed his trips of deuce and wins. Note: WW is a master of small cards. But don’t try this if you are a beginner.
Actual C-Game, La Trinidad 2010.
After some limpers, R.E. (our hero) raises at the late position and everyone folded to him. He won with his 32. Note: R.E. is a master of small cards, don’t try this if you are a beginner.
This is the 4th best starting hand. Under the Medium Pairs starting hand category, it can be call the Top Medium Pair. But after flop, will this hand survive? Do not slow play this hand. If there are many limpers, make a raise. When somebody makes a raise, it is a judgment issue. You may call or make a re-raise. If you reraise and he goes all-in or make another re-re-raise, then you have to fold.
Variation 1: You are first to enter the pot.
1.1. No Limper.
Raise 3 times the Blind.
1.2. There are limpers.
Raise 3 times the Blind plus the 1 Big Blind times the total number of limpers.
Variation B. There was a raiser.
Variation B-1. Just Call.
Variation B-2. Reraise.
Variation C.
There was a raise and then a re-raise.
Then this is a judgment call. If the raiser and the re-raise are tight players, then fold. Call or re-raise is also a judgment call.
Actual Play in Baguio Philippines, 2010.
Kevin, after some limpers, raises in the Middle Position. R.E. (our hero) is the Small Blind moves all-in. “13HQ.com”, was the Big Blind, calls. The limpers fold. Kevin calls.
Show Cards. R.E. with QQ. “13HQ.com” with AK. R.E. said to Kevin, “I hope you have AK, too”. Kevin showed his AK. QQ stands and wins.
This is a situation where you can not do anything even with correct play.