When Things aren't Right

Gary Carson
Tue, 24 Jun 2003

Whenever your opponents past actions aren't consistent with the hand he appears to be trying to represent now, suspect a bluff.

Here's a hold'em hand I played that I think has a lesson in it.

In a typical game, with a little loose and mostly weak, predictable opponents, I had queen, jack of diamonds on the button.

Everyone folded to a late position player who is usually fairly aggressive. He limped in. I raised. The small blind called, the limper called the raise.

The flop missed me completely. Ace of spaces, nine of diamonds, and four of clubs. But, I suspected this flop missed everyone.

The small blind checked and the original limper bet. What did he have? This was a fairly aggressive player and he had just limped before the flop. From late position, with any ace this player would have opened with a raise. Since he hadn't, I guessed that the best hand he could have was a nine. I called. The small blind folded.

The turn brought a second ace. Now I'm almost certain he doesn't have an ace. He checked. Now I don't even think he has a nine. I bet. He folded. Apparently his bet on the flop had been a bluff attempt to win the pot right then.

Just looking at the cards, my call on the flop might appear to be a weak call. I had two overcards to second pair. Generally my hand didn't have a lot going for it. Why did I call?

Because his play hadn't been consistent with what I knew of his playing habits. With callers in front of him, this player would have raised before the flop with any ace. So, even though his bet now might suggest he has an ace, I'm pretty sure he doesn't. It just didn't fit, and I suspected a bluff, calling just to see what happened next.

Whenever your opponents past actions aren't consistent with the hand he appears to be trying to represent now, suspect a bluff. This is an important concept in that part of your game involved in protecting yourself against bluffs. Look for inconsistencies and when you find one, exploit the probable weakness of the player displaying them.

Whenever you see a player who usually plays consistently doing otherwise, exploit it.

Read more about Poker Strategy.

Recent
Loose And Tight Play In Texas Holdem Poker
Poker And The Art Of The Bluff
Bad Beats and Lucky Draws
The WSOP Carnival Spirit And Some Lucky Charms
Why You Go On Tilt
Beginners In Holdem Poker Should Wait to Play
5 Rules For Playing Casino Poker So You Don't Look Like An Idiot
The Ladder of Inference
Playing Medium and Low Pairs in Stud Poker
Five-Card Draw Poker Online at Low Limits

Tools

E-mail this story!   Print  Bookmark

Bodog Poker - $100 Bonus
Texas Hold'em, Omaha, Omaha Hi/Lo, 7 Card Stud , 7 Card Stud Hi/Lo, 5 Card Stud....
www.bodogpoker.com
Bodog Poker - $100 Bonus
Texas Hold'em, Omaha, Omaha Hi/Lo, 7 Card Stud , 7 Card Stud Hi/Lo, 5 Card Stud....
www.bodogpoker.com
Full Tilt Poker
Texas Hold'em, Omaha, Omaha 8/Better, Seven Card Stud, Seven Card Stud 8/Better,Razz...
www.fulltiltpoker.com
Royal Vegas Poker
Whether you're an Amateur or Poker Pro, there are games to suit all players. An established,well-respected and trusted online poker room...
www.royalvegaspoker.com
Bugsy's Club
Has downloads for both Windows and Macintosh. A generous signup bonus of 40% up to $200...
www.bugsysclub.com

More...
 
Poker Home Page