Bluffing

[Muahahahaha]

What's that all about then ?

I usually play low level sngs ( with a few mtts when I get time ) & I have a unique, and effective bluffing style in these games. I pick on a wimpy git & bet enough to put him all in.

But now I'm trying a little bit off cash, this wonderous technique ( I bet noone has thought of it before ) doesn't work as well.

So how do decent players approach this part of the game.  I know it's situational.  But do you semi make your mind up that you're going to represent this next hand, & see people reaction whether you carry it through ?  Do you play your hand in a normal way, and then suddenly think that the villain has put you on something, so you represent it ?

In cash games I'm experimenting with working out what size bet I'd make if I wanted it called, then adding 'a bit'.  It's surprising that some people seem more scared of a small bet than they would, an all in.

Does the amount ( both in size of bet & frequency ) that you bluff vary from tourneys to cash, or is it pretty much the same in both games.

( Just as an aside, is it actually possible to bluff in low level omaha & horse games, or is that a total waste of time ? )

[bolt pp]

A good bluffing strategy for low level online cash games is.................... DON'T!!

[MAF]

A good bluffing strategy for low level online cash games is.................... DON'T!!

I think that says it all.  Players at low levels aren't thinking players and don't have the mindset of "Let me put him on a range...oh, I might be beaten here!".  They'll call with anything.

[Longy]

Im with bolt don't bluff in low limit cash unless you damn good reason to believe it will work. In tournaments your style works better as putting someone in for all their chips is much more effective as that is the tournament for your opponent, whereas cash player can just reload.

[Graham C]

 

just don't do it.  Someone will always call your bluff and have called with something silly to win the hand.  There's plenty of opportunity to win hands with decent hands.

[Moskvich]

I'm sure everyone who's replied so far has good reasons for saying you basically shouldn't bluff, and maybe that fits well with their game. I'm not so sure - for me, at least - that it's right, even at low levels (not micro stakes, but NL50/100). There's plenty of decent (as in solid, know what they're trying to do) players at these levels as well as the beginners/fish/maniacs. These players are also often the ones with the big stacks. If you want their chips, I think you have to mix it up a bit more. Essentially I'd just say play aggressively post flop, keep your eye out for danger signs so you can bail when necessary, and look to take advantage of signs of weakness. Obviously you don't want to be trying to bluff fish and calling stations - and you'll pick up your fair share from them anyway - but if you want to be beating the more solid players then a bluff at them now and then might take down an extra pot, and even if it gets looked up it could get you a call and a big pot later on. If they don't know where you are then it could also make them more reluctant to get involved in pots with you, thus giving you more quality time alone with the weaker players. I don't think there's any right or wrong rule though, you just need to find your own game and fit in bluffs (or not) as part of that overall strategy. To stress though, don't go in with the attitude that everyone at these levels is a poor player, and certainly don't think you can just bully people off pots regularly, until you get to see some evidence to support it.

[RichEO]

(not micro stakes, but NL50/100).

50/100 is pretty high

Does the amount ( both in size of bet & frequency ) that you bluff vary from tourneys to cash, or is it pretty much the same in both games.

You need to bluff a lot less in any cash games, not just low limit ones, but especially low limit ones. As the blinds aren't going up you have plenty of time to wait for a hand, no need to mix it up as much. I'd say 90%+ of the time you need to have something!

If the pot has gotten big enough then a bluff on the river at low limits is often the best place to try it. A lot of players will call to draw to the river and then be more likely to fold if they have missed. If they back into a pair though they may still be prepared to call, you need to bet enough to push them off, and hope they are able to fold! But most importantly, bluff less in cash games.

There is no point going into a hand with a view to, I'm going to push this one through (Eli Elezra approach). I've done it too, but after the fact (whether it worked or not!) I just think, why did I do that, risk $100 (or whatever..) when I could fold my way to a good hand...

If you are bored of playing tight, multitable..

Hope theres a pearl of wisdom in there somewhere.

[TightPaulFolds]

Playing $1-2 NL cash tonight.
I got $75, he got about $40

I got  on button

Small raise. He reraise the pot. I call.

Flop:   

He bets $4. I put him all in for the rest of his chips.

He calls, showing    , fails to improve..

Fairly standard for where I play at the mo. Where's the room for bluffing these guys? 82o is a monster...

Bluffing much overrated against poor loose players. Even if you have a tight image.

[Moskvich]

Agree with both of the above, basically was just saying that you've got to pick your players.

[Smart Money]

Full-handed cash games:

If you never bluff into big pots then you're not going to go far wrong.

As a general rule, you can bluff (and more usually- semi-bluff) into small flop/turn pots with no more than 2/3 players.

[TightPaulFolds]

Agree with both of the above, basically was just saying that you've got to pick your players.

I agree, I just happen to be playing in a big aquarium. It does have its place, even against fish. Show one bluff and you're 'Mr Bluffer', they even more likely to call you down with anything. My site is full of french and italians, they don't like the p!$$ taken out of them and will 'take ze stand' against you, crazy rosbif.'