Show vs Don't Show

[david3103]

In my regular Wednesday night games I have a hard-earned reputation for playing a very tight range of cards.

Early in the tournament (£10 HH max 25 players) I play 77+ ; A 10s +; AQo+ unless I'm in the BB and face a max raise of 2BB when I will extend the range depending on who else / how many others are in

As the tournament moves on, and having reinforced my rep I start to loosen up a little and can often induce a fold from some of the looser players (and they are exceedingly loose).

I made two moves last night which I was particularly pleased with, inducing folds from two of the more aggressive players with both of them showing me their hands and confidently misdescribing mine.

On both occasions I did what I generally do and pushed my cards into the muck.

I will occasionally show my AA/AK/etc when I push others off a pot. Should I also occasionally show my bluff?

I don't because I value the reputation I've worked for and because I think it makes my raises more effective in getting the random hands out of the equation. But... it does make getting full value from hands more difficult when the opponent assumes that you're betting only from strength.

I'm sure this has been discussed often and at length. No doubt a link to the last such thread will appear shortly

[AlexMartin]

you will know when you are ready to show cards, until then, dont imo.

[david3103]

you will know when you are ready to show cards, until then, dont imo.

Is that like knowing when you've found 'the one'? I thought I'd done that 30+years ago and I'm still living with that decision 

[Graham C]

I rarely feel the urge to show cards and when I do get that urge, I try not to show.   Last time I showed a card I wished I hadn't.  It didn't do me any harm, but it was pointless and unnecessary and I don't do it anymore.

[thetank]

I think you've got more to lose than you have to gain.

The tight rep does you good.

We'd all like help in getting value off our made hands. Showing one or two bluffs now and then is not going to achieve spectacular results though. We're still only going to get paid when they have something. A completely crazy image is required for people to call with weak holdings, getting that image sacrifices too much.

Can't have it both ways, so stick with the tight imo. You've got a good thing going.
If you're really concerned about the not getting paid thing, increase the frequency that you bluff at flops.

[Robbo63]

I would say never show leave them wondering. Very little to be gained by showing so don’t give them free info. and use your image wisely.

[Longy]

you will know when you are ready to show cards, until then, dont imo.

This is good advice imo. If you aren't sure whether it is good idea, don't show.

[tikay]

In my view, there is as much to gain by selectively Showing, as not Showing.

You can build image both ways.

[kinboshi]

In my view, there is as much to gain by selectively Showing, as not Showing.

You can build image both ways.

But as others have said, you need to think (and know) why you're showing.

[The-Crow]

Never show a bluff,bad move,upsets people.

[tikay]

In my view, there is as much to gain by selectively Showing, as not Showing.

You can build image both ways.

But as others have said, you need to think (and know) why you're showing.

Obviously.

And the same, precisely & exactly the same, applies to not showing.

[Laxie]

My biggest problem with showing is being afraid I've given the person a read.  She looks like this, she has a hand.  She looks like that, she's gonna crush ya. 

[PocketLady]

I never/extremely rarely show bluffs, only against my friends normally.  I'll occassionally show the odd hand, but not often, and only when I consider it to be for my advantage i.e if I have been really active at a table I might show a hand or two so I am still getting the respect when I need it.  If I'm not getting a lot of action, then I might show a bluff, but next time I'll make sure I have the cards to go with my bet.  A lot of the time it's just pointless and showing off.  I was playing a HU sng the other day and the blinds were big, 100/200 I think, and the guy I was playing shoved on my BB and then showed me 92off.  That is just completely pointless and only gives information to me at the end of the day.  It's complicated, but you have to make sure anything you show is to your own advantage and that you aren't just giving away free information.

[Wardonkey]

If you never get caught bluffing, then you're not bluffing enough.

The times you get caught should be sufficient advertising.

[Laxie]

That's what I reckon too.  No point adding to their information when you get away with one.