Showing bluffs and some psychology.

[1800GAMBLER]

I've heard people not recommend showing bluffs on this forum a few times. I'm wondering why everyone thinks it's a really bad idea?

2nd..

What do people think the common belief is..

'He just bluffed so he wouldn't do it again right now.'

'He just bluffed so he's probably bluffing again.'

When i took a few first time poker players to a casino they _both_ went bust once because when they called a guy and beat him due to his bluff; they called him again in a later game because of last time. That time he had a hand and they shouted for chips.

However i think more experienced players don't know what to think on the issue due to the level of thought it can go down too.

Thoughts?

[bernie]

the reason i dont is because getting caught after buying a few pots is much better advertising than only dragging one.

if you have been dragging pots without showing, say you drag 4 or 5 in an hour or hour 1/2. then you get caught on a bluff. many of those players, especially the one's you bluffed off the hand and even some who legitimately folded but doesnt know it, will be wondering just how many pots you bought previously.

theyll feel like theyve been taken a little. hence, their tendency is to call even more, IMO than if you just showed a single bluff. think of how you react to both situations. someone who hasnt shown down much then gets caught bluffing as compared to someone who just shows it.

besides, dont you like to steal pots as much as possible? if theyre giving you that much respect postflop, why ruin it?

just watch for them to start loosening up with calls, then tighten up a little on the semi bluffs and bluffs.

just my take on it

b

[Mike]

I don't like to show my bluffs. I used to show them, but found out it's poor advertising. What I found happening is my marginal hands went way down in value as people were more willing to play against me.

If the cards are running good for you this isn't a problem, but as soon as your little run is over....

I think your second comment is what most people think, but they usually only call if they have a hand they think can win.

[1800GAMBLER]

I think that would be a better form of advertising, nice idea.

Thanks.

[AceHigh]

"I'm wondering why everyone thinks it's a really bad idea?"

Poker is a game of incomplete information, unlike say chess. So any information is valuable. When you show a bluff you are giving away information for free.

[1800GAMBLER]

A...B...C.

Or lets go past that! How about we give off misleading information when we plan to change our style? woah!

[fnurt]

Generally you make more money from folds than you do from calls. So you don't want to trick people into calling you more often, again, in general.

[J_V]

The problem is information is given out about the way you played a hand...from start to finish. It won't matter against most players...but the good ones will begin to outplay if you do this too often and you won't know why or be able to stop them. In fact, you may be better than them...but since you already told them I do this in this spot and here's how I do it.

If you're talking about open raising 5-2o and betting to the river type of bluffing, who cares what I think, good luck beating the game.