This is the third and final installment in my Cardplayer Lifestyle bluffing mini-series. In the first article, we discussed how bluffing is essential. In the second article, we followed up with more critical information to consider when bluffing. Specifically, both of the previous columns emphasized the two key tactics for bluffing while playing hold’em. Bluffing is a form of deception. In this latest article, we’ll be discussing some other forms of deception, namely stealing, check-raising, slow-playing, trapping, and sandbagging. Note that these tactics can be employed whether you’re playing poker in a brick and mortar casino or online.
Stealing
While the name obviously has a negative connotation, it is perfectly legal to steal while playing poker. Simply bet or raise; and, if all of the remaining players muck their cards, you have executed a successful steal.
Preflop
Before the flop, in a late position when everyone folds to you, be sure to glance at the players to your left, looking for tells. If no one is gathering a bunch of chips, preparing to raise, then your raise may win the blinds. It’s best to attempt this steal with a reasonable hand, in case the Big Blind decides to call. Even so, you gain a positional advantage. Unless he has a strong hand, he is bound to respect your raise and check to you on the flop. Then, you can decide whether to make a continuation-bet (c-bet) – and take the pot if he folds.
On the Flop
Stealing the pot on the flop depends on the community cards placed on the board. Whenever the flop brings only unsuited medium and small cards (no honor cards; i.e., A-A down to 10-10) or a small pair with a small/medium third card, chances are that the flop missed your opponents. If they all check to you, then your “steal-bet” – using the Esther Bluff – is almost certain to force them out; you win the pot. For more information on the Esther Bluff, I invite you to check out my books (see below).
A Special Situation
Let’s say you’re playing on one of the legal poker sites for New Jersey players. The flop includes a pair of honor cards plus a small card; and you are in a late position with few (if any) deceptive opponents. They have no idea what cards you have in the hole. The odds are heavily in your favor that an opponent does not have a hole-card matching the pair on the board; so your attempt to steal is favorable.
Check-Raising
Holding a monster, your goal is to build a big pot. From an early/middle position, start by checking – rather than betting. An opponent behind you makes the bet; several others call. Now you raise it up. Most likely they will all call your raise; and the pot grows…
Supposing you have earned a tight image, had you bet out rather than checked, most opponents would have folded. You can’t build a big pot in a limit game, if only one or two opponents pay to see the next card.
Trapping, Slow-Playing, and Sandbagging
These are three more tactics for building the pot when you expect to win it with your monster hand. Instead of forcing out your opponent:
- You would prefer that he bets or raises, as he is unaware of the strength of your hand
- Let him be the aggressor
- Let him think he has the best hand; little does he know that you have trapped him!
An aggressive opponent may even elect to try to bluff you out, all to the good…
(Ed. note: Plus, if you’re playing in a brick and mortar poker room, their reaction can be priceless once they realized they’ve been duped. 🙂 )
My poker buddies accused me of sandbagging, but I couldn’t let that bother me. I had to prepare for the approaching storm
— Grown-Up Baby (@Prof_Hinkley) January 4, 2015
Holding a monster hand, slow-playing, and sandbagging tactics serve the same purpose. If your opponents check to you, just check along. An opponent bets or raises, just call. Show no aggressiveness. Unaware of the strength of your hand, he is prone to bet or raise, or even try to bluff you out. Just call. Meanwhile, take care not to offer any tells that could be cause for suspicion. Slow-play to trap your opponents in the hand – and build your pot. Sandbagging is similar; but you are planning to check-raise.
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