By the PokerStrategyKing
Have you found yourself in a position where no one seems to believe your bluff. If so, then perhaps you should revisit your tactic. Today, I’m going to tell you about a new, simple technique you can use next time you play. I call it the "Sensed-weakness-Bluff".
The Sensed-weakness-Bluff is an easy way to win more consistent and bigger pots when you bluff while decreasing the chances that your opponents will call your bluff. How do you use this tool? When you want to "buy the pot" and bluff out an opponent you think is weak, what you do is make the minimum raise possible in the current round of betting.
After they call, make your real bluff in the next round of betting round of betting and take down the pot. Let’s look at an example. Let's say you're playing $1-2 no limit with good
position. Pete, who is under the gun makes a pre-flop raise of $15.
The next few players fold and the action is to you and you look down at J-10 of diamonds. You like this hand and know that if you hit the flop, you can bust Pete for all of his money so you call. The flop hits and it’s 7h-9s-2c. Not exactly the flop you had hoped for- you have an inside straight draw but you know better than to chase an inside straight.
As expected, Pete represents the flop and bets $25. You know he doesn't have anything since that flop could not have helped him. All night, he’s been making the same $25 continuation bet. You believe he has nothing and this pot is yours for the taking. Here is the perfect time to make the sensed weakness bluff. You do this by raising the minimum and making it $50 to play. By doing this, you have taken control of the action. By raising only the minimum, you are not pot committed if he happens to have a hand and raises you again. If his hand is not strong however, he will just call in this spot. He won’t fold because he made the original raise and thinks he can outdraw you with the next card maybe. The turn hits and it’s the 7d which pairs the board. He is first to act and checks to you. Now you have him set up and make your real bluff. You bet out $75 and he shows the AQ and mucks them. You throw your cards into the muck and take down the pot.
If you use this tactic 2 or 3 times, you’ve made an easy $100 for nothing. Why does this work? Well, when you raise, you have taken control of the action. At this point, you have the power to make your opponent fold which is the whole point of bluffing in the first place.
The sensed weakness bluff works for the following reasons:
1. It gives you control in the hand - When you raise your opponent, you automatically gain control. The entire purpose of bluffing is to get your opponent to fold. If he feels like he's in control he won’t.
2. You get a better read on your opponent. - In my example, Pete could have easily had
something like A-9 (and hit top pair) or an over pair or whatever. You didn't think he had something good, but you didn’t know for certain. Your Sensed-weakness-Bluff eliminates the confusion. If Pete had a monster, he would have either gone back over
the top of you with a re-raise or would have bet after the turn card. In either situation, you can let go of your hand. Instead, he called and then checked which told you he had nothing and could be pushed away.
3. There's less risk involved. - A small raise is much safer than trying to buy
the pot outright especially when you're not sure your opponent is weak. You still have wiggle room to escape if your opponent again shows strength.
5. Your bluff is more credible – When you raised, your opponent became more aware now that he lost control of the hand. It does not look like a bluff when you make your next big bet on the turn. After he calls your Sensed-weakness-Bluff, he's going to be
confused about your hand and is ripe for the taking.
As long as you don’t overuse this tactic, it can be a great tool for you. Only use this when you have good positioning and a good read on your opponent. In a heads up situation, this tactic works best.
Until next time, may the chips fall your way.
(For more poker strategy and tips, please visit the PokerStrategyKing’s website at www.pokerstrategyking.com)
