Tips of the Week

Bluffing After the River (No Limit Hold-em Tournament)

Bluff - yes. All-in bluff - NO.

Here is a great story. I went to visit a good friend the other day. When I arrived at his house I discover he is in the later stages of a multi table tourney. Almost in the money. My friend has about 45k in chips and average stack is about 38k.

He gets dealt AK off. He raises, and one player calls. Flop comes out all small cards, including 2 hearts. Opponent checks, my friend bets and gets called. Turn is J no heart. Opponent checks and my friend bets again. Call again. River is 9. Opponent checks again, and my friend turns to me for advise.

My answer: bluff at it. My friend goes all-in (!!!). Opponent has 2 hearts in hand, calls, and kicks him out.

"Why did you go all in?" I ask
"You told me to bluff at it.: His reply.
"Bluff yes...but not for all your chips!!"

Logic: One of two things happened to your opponents' hand after the river:

1. Opponent did not get what they were fishing for.
2. Opponent caught what they were looking for.

Lets evaluate the situation. If your Opponent missed his card you will not get a call no matter how much you bet. If your opponent caught his/her card, you will lose hand. There is no gain by going all-in!!

Conclusion: When bluffing after the river - Don't risk all your chips. Bet enough to not make a call worth while by opponent on modest hand, but not too much to ruin your tournament.

Hand that was played out:

My friend: A K

Flop: 2 6 8
Turn: J
River: 9

Opponents hand: Q 7

Checking the River (No Limit Hold-em)

Sitting with a good hand in favorable betting position can often be a tough hand to play. Lets say the game is heads up post flop, and your opponent checks the flop to you. You bet, and opponent calls. Check to you after turn, you bet and get called again. The hand gets checked to you after the river. Lets evaluate the situation:

1. You feel you have the best hand and want to get paid off.
2. Opponent has already committed 2 bets into the pot and may call a small/medium size bet on a modest hand.
3. Opponent may be slow playing.
4. Opponent may have 'caught' what he/she needed on river and is looking for a check raise.

If these 4 points are running through your head, as a golden rule: CHECK THE RIVER.

The logic: If your opponent has you he/she will check raise. You will want to call being as you have a good hand. If opponent missed on the river, you won't get a call any way (!!!). If you make a modest bet, and opponent calls - the number of 'modest bets you will need to win to over come the huge hand you lose don't make it worthwhile.

When in doubt check the river.

Hand example:

You hold: A J
Flop: J J 9
Turn: 3
River: 8

By betting the flop and turn your opponent knows you have J. Opponent is calling with something to out do your set. The 8 may give opponent a straight. If the 8 is no help to opponent you won't get called anyway, if opponent makes straight on river (or full house) you stand to lose a huge pot. Check The River.

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