Show a bluff or not? - Live Low-stakes No Limit Poker Forum

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Show a bluff or not?

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02-04-2024 , 01:44 PM

jack4you

grinder

Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 672

Let’s say you gain a reputation at the table as always having it.

You start to take advantage of that by using more bluffs.

Is it more profitable to not show your cards and to get more bluffs through or to show the bluff to get more action when you have it?

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02-04-2024 , 02:09 PM

Javanewt

Carpal \'Tunnel

Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 12,911

Never show.

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02-04-2024 , 02:17 PM

blargh257

centurion

Join Date: Nov 2023 Posts: 102

Yeah don't show, i would say that if you're concerned about getting action on hands, there are as many people who are as likely to give you action because they thought you had it last time and "you can't POSSIBLY have it again" or that kind of thinking as there would be people who would call you if they think you're bluffing again. Besides, the people making those calls to bluffs are probably aware you're bluffing anyway.

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02-04-2024 , 03:24 PM

docvail

old hand

Join Date: May 2023 Posts: 1,882

I might show 10% of hands when I don't have to, and those are 90% value, maybe 10% bluffs.

We get more value when we get called and have it than we do when we bluff and they fold. We don't want to incentivize opponents to call wider, unless the game is super nitty, and in that case, we should just find a better game.

Sent from my SM-G781U using Tapatalk

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02-04-2024 , 06:01 PM

Javanewt

Carpal \'Tunnel

Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 12,911

FWIW: I would rather they think I never bluff. I'd rather show the monsters than the bluffs, but I rarely show anything -- only against certain players to keep them happy or if my husband is at the table and we're in a hand together so people know we aren't colluding (never!!!).

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02-04-2024 , 06:09 PM

Steve00007

Carpal \'Tunnel

Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 9,185

If you have a reputation of always having it one bluff isn’t going to change that.

Also some players might realize what you are doing when you show the bluff. As a result, you might actually confirm to them that you usually have it.

Half the table might be on their phone or not paying attention to the hand when you show that bluff.

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02-04-2024 , 06:13 PM

Steve00007

Carpal \'Tunnel

Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 9,185

I’m way more likely to show a value hand instead of a bluff. It keeps the table friendlier and makes me look less serious. Fish aren’t always as eager to play with you if you look like Mr. Serious.

Sometimes people will talk more after you show a value hand too and open up about their thoughts during the hand. So you get a little more talking instead of a silent table and you get to hear how they think about the game.

I guess if I tried to put people on tilt I might show bluffs, but I prefer a table that seems fun.

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02-04-2024 , 06:30 PM

moxterite

old hand

Join Date: Oct 2014 Posts: 1,741

I just never see the point. People think they're playing some KGB disinformation game but in reality they're just letting data dribble out. At some point you're going to bluff and get looked up anyway; that's the time you'll need to think whether you need to adjust.

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02-04-2024 , 06:32 PM

moxterite

old hand

Join Date: Oct 2014 Posts: 1,741

Quote:

Originally Posted by Javanewt

That's fine until you show the nuts and your husband shows that he folded the second nuts!

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02-04-2024 , 06:43 PM

#10

Javanewt

Carpal \'Tunnel

Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 12,911

Quote:

Originally Posted by moxterite

That's fine until you show the nuts and your husband shows that he folded the second nuts!

If he's smart (which he is)!

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02-04-2024 , 06:52 PM

#11

L.C.C

centurion

Join Date: Nov 2015 Posts: 115

I think you can show the bluff, if the table is too tight and you don't get enough value.

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02-04-2024 , 08:21 PM

#12

Grimstard

banned

Join Date: Jan 2024 Posts: 457

Quote:

Originally Posted by Javanewt

Never show.

wrong

always show you hand. it confused your opponents

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02-04-2024 , 11:41 PM

#13

docvail

old hand

Join Date: May 2023 Posts: 1,882

Discussion of Java's husband showing one or both nuts is making me somewhat uncomfortable.

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02-06-2024 , 02:49 AM

#14

Stupidbanana

old hand

Join Date: Dec 2014 Posts: 1,671

I never show unless I have to. If I called river I sit and wait for the other guy to show. Even if he announces his hand I just say 'ok' and sit quietly. Its so idiotic. We have guys that play 10/20 that are afraid to show their hand at 1/3

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02-06-2024 , 05:26 AM

#15

billyf111

journeyman

Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 309

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stupidbanana

This is a spot where I DO show. If we get to showdown and people are all looking around sheepishly I'll show whatever I got. 7 high? No problem.

It's low stakes, almost no one will know what to do with the information anyways. It also avoids someone getting embarrassed for having to show king high. (Some people do) plus it keeps the game moving and friendly.

I'm sure there are times where I might force someone to show first, but for the most part just turn your damn cards over.

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02-06-2024 , 09:30 AM

#16

Javanewt

Carpal \'Tunnel

Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 12,911

I do the same as billyf111. If we get to the end of the hand, I usually just flip my cards over -- I despise the tanking/waiting. I only make the jackasses show (or fold), and I love doing that!

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02-08-2024 , 07:24 AM

#17

Stupidbanana

old hand

Join Date: Dec 2014 Posts: 1,671

Quote:

Originally Posted by billyf111

Nah man. We have a rule where if you announce your holding you MUST show. Even if you weren't the aggressor. Once a guy bet river, I called, he announced his hand and I said "no good" and he slowly mucked and then I patiently waited for the dealer to ship me the pot which he slowly realized he should do (as my hand was now the only live hand). I mucked after the pot moved and the other player was so pissed. lool.

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02-08-2024 , 10:39 AM

#18

Smoola1981

journeyman

Join Date: Oct 2022 Posts: 338

Show bluffs when it is your advantage to do so. Show good hands when it is your advantage to do so. Just use common sense to figure it out.

It also depends on the structure of the game that you are playing. Some structures are more favorable for getting paid off for Max value, and other structures are good for stealing pots.

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02-08-2024 , 10:44 AM

#19

Smoola1981

journeyman

Join Date: Oct 2022 Posts: 338

You can also offer them that you will show your hole cards for $5 or $10 or $25 depending on the stakes played. That will increase the EV of showing cards that you don't mind showing

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02-10-2024 , 12:14 AM

#20

Mlark

old hand

Join Date: Dec 2022 Posts: 1,689

It doesn't matter a ton whether you do or don't. Usually I don't unless I am trying to push the action. It may be a friendly action and being friendly often has it's own rewards (it doesn't always have to be about max exploiting profit either).

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