Whilst playing I recorded several of my hands which I can now write about in a series of articles. This first article will illustrate a bluff I made after sensing weakness. Over the next few weeks I will be uploading more articles discussing a range of different plays.
20/40 No Limit Holdem - Semi bluffing/Bluffing when you sense weakness
I was at the table with about $15,000, covering most of the players at the table who had stacks ranging from $3000-$20,000.
The game was playing pretty tight, and I knew that a few of the players were prepared to play a lot looser, given the opportunity. So I thought I might try to spice things up a bit.
I raise UTG to $140 with 67off, 3 callers. The flop comes down 3 4 K rainbow. I check everyone else checks then the button makes it $400, the small blind then check raises to $800 I re-raise to $1,800. They both fold and I show my hand. Here’s what I was thinking at the time.
I had a gut shot straight draw which isn’t exactly a stellar hand 4 handed, I didn’t want to make a continuation bet on that flop in early position as it is likely someone has a king and will call meaning I have to make a much larger bet on the turn to try and bluff the hand and my opponent may already be committed to the pot. I’m also likely to be called there with any pair bigger than a 4. After everyone checks, the button makes a pretty weak bet of only $400, the small blind now makes a minimum raise to $800. My check raise here is representing a massive hand. I’m representing that I’ve either got AA, AK or a set of Kings. I’m not worried about the button as his bet was very weak and he had position, so I was only worried about the SB but I was pretty sure he was just trying to steal the pot. I was correct as they both folded very quickly.
That’s a good example of taking down a nice pot when you sense weakness. I hope it also shows that you don’t have to lead into a hand to try and take it down, and don’t be afraid to come over the top of 2 players in a hand (as in this case with a bet and raise) if you sense weakness. |
