Texas Limit Holdem Poker Tips: Bluffing the Weak Player on a Scary River

Many poker players think you can't bluff in small stakes Texas limit holdem cash games. This is true in most situations. The small stakes are filled with players that call too much, so bluffing often is not a good strategy. However, there are few times when bluffing can work.

These bluffing moments depend heavily on the player. There is a rare breed of player in the low limits that can make folds because of the board or the opponent they are up against. These players think more deeply than your average low limit player. If you can figure out what they are thinking, you may run across profitable bluffing opportunities.

What are the characteristics of someone you can bluff off the best hand?

Look for someone who folds on the turn or river when the board gets scary. Also, look for someone who respects you.

Let's look at a hand example of someone who folds to scary turn or river cards.

Bluffing At A Scary Board

I was playing 4/8 limit nine-handed at my local casino. I had the 9 of spades and the 7 of spades on the button.

Three people called in front of me. I called too. The small blind folded and the big blind raised. Everyone called including myself.

The flop came: King of diamonds, 9 of hearts, 8 of hearts.

The big blind bet out. Two people folded and one called. I called too.

It was 3 players on the turn. The turn showed a 6 of spades. The big blind bet out, the second player folded, and I called with my new open ended straight draw.
The dealer dealt a 10 of spades on the river, completing my straight. The big blind check and I bet. The big blind folded Ace-King face up!

You could say that he made a great fold, but you'd better believe that next time I'm betting any scary river card against him. The pot was huge. It had 10 big bets, or $80. I could've been betting with King-3.

Against opponents like these, bet out any scary card if he checks to you. For example, if the above situation came up again, I would bet out any heart on the river. There is a good chance he will fold fearing I made a flush.

It's great playing against these types of players, because you gain a lot of outs against them. Every scary card - whether it helps your hand or not - is a possible out against them.