When to show cards

Yobz · #1 12-29-2004, 10:23 PM

I was thinking about this and discussing it with a friend recently. When, if ever, should you show your cards (at a B&M or online)? I've only done it a couple of times and I dont think they were at all required. Thoughts/comments?

snowbank · #2 12-29-2004, 10:24 PM

Lots of times I will show a bluff.

emonrad87 · #3 12-29-2004, 10:34 PM

If you really want to put a table on tilt, make a stone cold bluff and show it.

Also, see Dave Williams in the 2004 WSOP.

David04 · #4 12-29-2004, 10:35 PM

When you bluffed and plan to tighten up.

When you had a big hand and plan to loosen up.

Rudbaeck · #5 12-29-2004, 10:48 PM

I'll show a bluff to some opponents and they spend hours paying off my value bets.

I'll show a big hand or two to someone who lays down to often, then spend hours mercilessly bluffing him whenever we are heads up.

Amazing what simple crude things can accomplish.

sfer · #6 12-30-2004, 12:56 AM

I never show unless I'm at showdown and either I win or I was last to bet/raise.

stinkypete · #7 12-30-2004, 01:50 AM

it's really simple.

you show bluffs when you want to get paid off with your big hands.

you show your big hands when you want to be able to bluff.

BusterStacks · #8 12-30-2004, 02:03 AM

[ QUOTE ]
it's really simple.

you show bluffs when you want to get paid off with your big hands.

you show your big hands when you want to be able to bluff.

[/ QUOTE ]

Actually it's even simpler than that; never show. Poker is a game of incomplete information, and by showing you are giving out free information. It's always bad.

cowboyzfan · #9 12-30-2004, 02:33 AM

never

bernie · #10 12-30-2004, 04:59 AM

In my Vegas trip report I have a hand in there that I don't show to a guy showing me his hand as he was folding.

recap: He was showing me AQ/no pair. I had JT with an openender and semibluff bet the turn. He wanted me to show, I wouldn't. What's he going to do when he sees he has me beat at that point?

I hadn't shown any hands to that point without being called in a showdown. Now let's say I had been showing hands. How would you then play this situation? What would be your reason for 'now' not showing in this instance? By not showing my hands, it helped greatly in him folding, imo. It can screw up your bluffs against certain players.

Try not to show your hand unless they pay for it. It's valuable info that can and will be used against you.

b