Poker Thoughts: Bluffing (II)

Continuing with my previous post, this is an example of how not to bluff:

Opponent is a total fish (VPIP: 48.65 / PFR: 0 / AF: 0.78). He obviously doesn't have a clue of what he is doing.

No-Limit Hold'em, $1.00 BB (6 handed)

MP ($102.75)
CO ($96.50)
Button ($98.50)
Hero (SB) ($97.50)
BB ($54.85)
UTG ($221.35)

Preflop: Hero is SB with A, 5

1 fold, MP calls $1, 2 folds, Hero calls $0.50, BB checks

Fish calls from middle position (as usual) and I complete from the small blind with A5o

Flop: ($3) A, 5, 4 (3 players)

Hero bets $3, 1 fold, MP calls $3

Monster flop (flop galactico). There is no way I can put the fish on any range of hands (he has been calling 50% of the hands preflop). However, I know he is always going to call my bet if he is on diamond draw or if he has Ax so I bet pot and fish calls.

Turn: ($9) 3 (2 players)

Hero bets $9, MP calls $9

There is no reason for me to slow down because I need to protect my hand from a diamond on the river. The chances that the fish has a deuce are very slim so I keep firing away. At this point I'm convince he either has Ax or he is on a flush draw.

River: ($27) 9 (2 players)

Hero checks, MP bets $27, Hero calls $27

The river is a complete blank. It does not complete any draws so either the fish made his hand on the turn or he has nothing at all. If he had a straight on the turn I believe he would have probably raised my turn bet so at this point I'm pretty sure he either has a pair of aces or a busted flush draw.

If I fire another bullet and the fish has nothing he will fold his hand so I give him the chance to bluff at the pot. I check knowing that I'm going to call any bet. The plan works: the fish bets pot and I call (note that there is no value in raising because if the fish is indeed bluffing he will just fold to any raise). He could also have A9 or a random set so I don't want to raise and give him the chance to beat me for all my money.

Total pot: $81 Rake: $3

Hero had A, 5 (two pair, Aces and fives).

MP had J, Q (high card, Ace).

Outcome: Hero won $78

This is an example of how to use other people's addiction to bluffing to your advantage: give them a chance to bluff their busted draws and call their river bluffs. In this case it is obvious that my opponent's bluff did not satisfy the second requirement I discussed in my previous blog entry: he chose to bluff on a river card that was a complete blank so his river bet was not credible (It is very unlikely that the 9s could have helped him in any way).