Let's Talk Balance

I hope I can word this correctly. If we are trying to balance our range and already have a very strong range does it matter if our opponents know when we are bluffing? In other words is their actual knowledge of our range change the fact of it being balanced? Or just the mere fact that we are mixing in something outside the norm makes it more balanced?

Hope this makes sense?

Your range is balanced only if your opponent is aware of it. It is not necessary to balance your range against an opp who only thinks about his cards and not yours: just value bet him. That's why it is often advised not to bluff at the micros: there is less need for balancing, since your opponents are less aware of your range.

Originally Posted by daviddem

Your range is balanced only if your opponent is aware of it. It is not necessary to balance your range against an opp who only thinks about his cards and not yours: just value bet him. That's why it is often advised not to bluff at the micros: there is less need for balancing, since your opponents are less aware of your range.

So would we then show a bluff if we take it down on occasion? I never show ever but I could see there may be an occasion when it would be beneficial.

Originally Posted by HarleyGuy13

So would we then show a bluff if we take it down on occasion? I never show ever but I could see there may be an occasion when it would be beneficial.

No, I don't think you should show your cards -- do not give away free information. Don't forget that your bluffs are +EV when they take down the pot by forcing a better hand to fold.

Showing a bluff (either because it failed and you lost the pot, or because you showed your cards when you didn't have to) forces you to make an adjustment decision: (a) will this opponent adjust and start calling wider? or (b) will he just continue to play his robotic game?

Unnecessarily showing your bluffs forces you to make these adjustment decisions more often then you normally would. Plus, the smarter your opponent, the more they are going to realize that you have a bluffing range simply because of your betting frequency, so there is no reason to confirm their suspicions. Let them make a call/raise and find out for sure (hopefully when you're betting for value).

Originally Posted by daviddem

Your range is balanced only if your opponent is aware of it. It is not necessary to balance your range against an opp who only thinks about his cards and not yours: just value bet him. That's why it is often advised not to bluff at the micros: there is less need for balancing, since your opponents are less aware of your range.

The bold is wrong, but the rest of it is right. You're thinking of our perceived range.

For example, in the AKQ half-street fixed-limit game, if we're playing unexploitably, it doesn't matter if our opponent knows we're playing unexploitably. Fwiw, a perfectly balanced range is, by definition, unexploitable.

Originally Posted by spoonitnow

Fwiw, a perfectly balanced range is, by definition, unexploitable.

in before people start thinking that unexploitable=most profitable

two spots to think about a lot when trying to get a handle on balance
1 - raising flop c-bets in position on various types of boards vs TAG-stat regs
2 - checking flops oop after raising pre.

Originally Posted by daven

in before people start thinking that unexploitable=most profitable

Yeah no joke. I guess I should throw in using a very large font that

being unexploitable also means

you're not exploiting your opponent

at all.

Very cool thread.

What I like most is that this discussion of balance also helped me to understand adjustments/exploitative strategy better.

Originally Posted by spoonitnow

Yeah no joke. I guess I should throw in using a very large font that

being unexploitable also means

you're not exploiting your opponent

at all.

This! I used to think too much about it. Now I pot it when I have it and bet smallest amount I think i can get away with when bluffing. Works great.

Might make exception vs regs.