The ultimate bluff inducer?

[Josh W]

I'll be honest...there are some things that I've learned about poker that I keep to myself...certain tells, or (very) minor adjustments in common strategies. Not saying that this benefits me, I just like to feel special.

And maybe this is one of those ideas I oughta keep to myself. Note that I've never done this, but have started to think about it somewhat...

First, what gave me the idea...

I was playing 80-160 a few days ago. MP openraised, and he's a little loose aggressive. I threebet on the button with AKo, no clubs.

Flop comes 753, all clubs. MP checks, I bet, and he checkraises. For a bunch of (irrelevant) reasons, I put him on two overcards with either the Ac or Kc. But I didn't think he had a pair. We can either question my reasoning extensively, or we can say "alright, he had a read, let's get to the bowels of this post". I vote for the second.

So, the turn pairs the 5, board 7c 5c 3c; 5ph (purple horseshoes, but of course). He bets, I call. River brings another small non-club...it didn't re-pair the board...may have been a 4 or a 6, tho.

He bet, I call, he says "nice call, ace high", I table my hand immediately, and he flashes AJ (I think) before mucking, with the Ace of clubs.

Maybe you want me to threebet the flop when i pick up a read. maybe you want me to raise the turn. Whatever...maybe I shoulda.

But here's the thing....let's say my opponent is a loose cannon. Let's say he tilts easily.

Next time, I think before I call the river, I should table my cards face up and raise.

Whaddya think?

Now, I'll go over the obvious. If he reraises, I'm in a bit of a predicament. But that's what I want. Against some opponents, you may be able to fold to the reraise. But against many (all?) who you'd try this against, you'd call.

The benefit is +2 big bets. The downside is -2 big bets. If you are gonna make the right read frequently, it seems that the benefit is a lot of steam.

But when you table your cards, and raise him, there's gotta be a little somethin' somethin' in every card player holding AJ that just wants to reraise. Heck, I've just visually announced "I'm weak". I'm INVITING a bluff.

Or, is it 6:10 a.m., I have sooo much non-poker on my mind, and so desperately needing sleep that I should be ashamed of myself?

I'm just thinking that against that special opponent, this could be a gold mine....

Josh