Playing the Ace Kicker

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This is a pretty standard bluff board for me, since it's very unlikely it hit anyone. Although in this case 87 puts out a straight draw.

I have used this in heads-up a lot. It really helps. If the board pairs, I raise. I have won more pots than I lose this way. If I get re-raised, I consider folding. If someone raises to me, I consider re-raising (depending on the size of their raise)

However, I have been in a lot of games that the other player seems to be playing "what-doesn't-this-guy-have" and playing it better than I do.

I've also been caught playing that game when the other player does have something and I create his trap for him. When this happens, I usually lose pretty big. I have small blind in a SnG. It is folded to me, I raise minimum with my A7o. Big blind re-raises minimum. I feel I can bluff this guy out, so I go all in. He calls with pocket 9s. I hit an A on the turn to save my ass from this huge mistake.

In multi-player pots, I don't think I would do too much with this. If there are 4 people in the pot, the pot may be too big to consider a pot-sized stab. Again, I'm trying to weigh the many small wins with how big the losses will be. I think in multi-way pots. You would lose too much the one time you lost to make up for the wins that you had.

I welcome anyone second-guessing me. michael1123 usually has stats to back up anything. Maybe you could come up with some for this.

using your example, if i'm either first to bet, or it's checked to me, i take a stab at it.

like you said, a raise back to me and i'm out, or if called and nothing hits for me on the turn, i'll check it and am out to a reasonable bet.

Pure bluffing into a multi-pot is almost never a good idea. Particulary with the lot I play with...

Originally Posted by Fnord

Pure bluffing into a multi-pot is almost never a good idea. Particulary with the lot I play with...

isn't it sklansky that repeatedly says you can't bluff people that don't know how to play?

Originally Posted by fishstick

isn't it sklansky that repeatedly says you can't bluff people that don't know how to play?

Yes, I've heard that from him before. he must have gotten it after playing a few rounds at Party Poker.

I played at a free bar tournament.

I was delt AA in late position. This was the 30th (ish) hand of the game and I hadn't played a single hand so far. I raised big, 3 callers.

The flop came J69 rainbow. 2 checks to me. The guy behind me was reaching for chips already. I raised all-in. He quickly called. He called so quick I knew I was in for trouble. After everyone else folded he flipped over a 64o. I was amazed. He had a very crappy hand.

I caught a A on the turn to secure my win and I doubled up on him. But when bad people play 64o with a pre-flop raise, and call an all in with bottom pair under kicker, I know I'm not bluffing crap that game.

Originally Posted by Humphrind

I caught a A on the turn to secure my win and I doubled up on him. But when bad people play 64o with a pre-flop raise, and call an all in with bottom pair under kicker, I know I'm not bluffing crap that game.

good lord - at least you didn't cracked.

maybe you could explain ahead of time if you did want to bluff, that way he might get it.

Yeah, heads up I will take a stab at the pot if the board pairs like that, and maybe even if it doesn't pair. It's not a bluff if you think you have the best hand. Three-way I would do it if its checked to me or maybe if I am first to act. Any more than that in the pot and I would not try it.

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In that case, I definitely fire out a bet, backing up my preflop raise. They probably don't believe you have an 8, but you could have an overpair. If they didn't hit a pair or a draw, or have an overpair as well, they're probably gone.

And the thought that you may just have an 8 tends to keep people from chasing with 2 over cards.

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