32Red Poker Blog

The tricks of the trade: bluffing with a call

You have weak cards, but you sense that you may be able to steal the pot. Usually, a raise or re-raise is your best weapon. However, there are some situations in the game where a flat call can be very effective in setting up a steal of the pot.

The strength of the play relies on the fact that, in some situations, a flat call looks stronger than a raise.

This kind of play relies on be able to pick up the pot if your opponent checks or bets weakly on a later street, and so has more chance to be successful if you are in position.

Examples of the “call to bluff”

You hold , and the flop comes . Your opponent acts first, and makes a big bet. You may well not be ahead with  -high, but a call is a strong move. It sets up a play which may make your opponent fold on a later street with anything but a very strong hand.

If your opponent shows weakness by checking the turn, the right sized bet may concern him enough to give up the pot. Braver still, if he follows on the turn with an uncertain looking bet, re-raise. An opponent who is capable of tracing the action will surmise (wrongly) that your flat call followed by a re-raise shows a lot of strength.

In this example, you have possible outs to make the winning hand; you probably have a gutshot straight draw working, possibly one overcard, and may even be ahead with ace high.

You can, however, be creative by making this play when you hold nothing at all- say . It is a play that relies much more into tricking your opponent into believing his holding is not good enough than it does on having a strong hand yourself.

You hold  in position, the flop comes , and your opponent makes a reasonable sized bet You have no heart draw, and only ace high, but the situation may well present some opportunities for you if you call.

Your big advantage will be that your opponent has to act first on later streets. This situation is particularly good, as your opponent’s actions will be more predictable than in most situations- you will have a better than usual read on what he has. Let’s have a look at what may happen:

• If you hit an ace or a king, it may give you the winning hand. Crucially, your opponent’s reaction and bet if it does come will give you a good clue as to whether you are ahead.
• If a fourth heart comes on the board, your opponent will almost definately let you know whether or not he has one of the key cards (a high heart). If he checks or makes a weak looking bet, he very probably does not have it, and you should seize upon this perfect opportunity to steal. Why would he not just bet again if a fourth heart comes, and prevent you from calling? Because he will be very concerned by your flop call that you hold a high heart!
• You may of course be ahead with your AK-high. Many opponents will give up on the pot after your flop call, and give you the chance to take it. Watch out, however, for a very aggressive opponent; if he is capable of betting again on a blank turn with something like  for the nut flush draw, your flat call will be wasted.

The crucial factor in this situation is that your call on the flop looks stronger than it actually is. Some opponents are very suspicious of a flat call on a board like this, and will start to worry. It may even concern them that you are trapping with a made flush.

However, any opponent who does not have a heart in his hand will worry if a heart does come on the turn or river. If your opponent has no heart and no re-draw to a full house (i.e. with two pair or a set), it will be virtually impossible for him to call.

Is this not crazy, calling with ace high?

This definately is not a standard move; after all, we are calling with no pair and no draw. It is not advisable to regularly make this move. However, the example does shows that there are situations where you can turn it into a strong play. The success of the move will depend very much on the opponent, and there are two types of opponent to avoid pulling the move against.

1) The calling station is the type of player who will not think along the same lines, and so there is no point trying to bluff them. The value against this kind of player all comes from avoiding big moves, and waiting for a big hand for them to pay you off
2) The mega-aggressive player will prevent you from making moves yourself because they will continue with strong bets whether or not they hold the hand.

The thinking player is the kind of player against whom this move is perfect. Of course, you want to be a thinking player, so is this not bad news? No, because you will think enough to realise the chance you could hand an opponent by betting and then checking, and will bet aggressively again on the turn!

Good luck at the tables, and, most of all, have fun.