I like trying to bluff into multiple players. Not only do I sometimes surprise myself with the fold equity I have, but it’s also nice for balancing my ranges and helping me to get paid off the many times that I have big hands in these spots. Here are two from tonight’s session:
Full Tilt Poker, $5/$10 NL Hold’em Cash Game, 8 Players
LeggoPoker.com – Hand History Converter
MP2: $2,916.40
CO: $492.60
BTN: $579.50
SB: $1,813.20
Hero (BB): $2,057
UTG: $1,002
UTG+1: $1,803
MP1: $470
Pre-Flop: 7
A dealt to Hero (BB)
4 folds, CO raises to $28, BTN folds, SB calls $23, Hero calls $18
Flop: ($84) 8 9
K (3 Players)
SB checks, Hero checks, CO checks
Turn: ($84) 5 (3 Players)
SB bets $49, Hero raises to $229, CO calls $229, SB calls $180
River: ($771) J
(3 Players)
SB checks, Hero bets $550, CO calls $235.60 and is All-In, SB raises to $1,100, Hero folds
Results: $2,106.60 Pot ($2,106.60 Rake)
CO showed Jd 9d and LOST
SB showed Th 7h and WON
On the river here I’m bluffing into two people, one of whom is getting better than 3:1 to call given his stack size. But based on the turn action and CO’s stack size, I was very sure they were both looking to catch on the river. If CO liked his hand on the turn, he would have stuck the rest of his chips in. And if SB liked his, he would have done the same, since CO was clearly drawing and going to call. The Jc on the river missed all the obvious draws, but unfortunately my opponents had some non-obvious draws. That’s the price of doing business.
Full Tilt Poker, $10/$20 NL Hold’em Cash Game, 6 Players
LeggoPoker.com – Hand History Converter
SB: $2,000
BB: $1,975
UTG: $501
MP: $4,509
Hero (CO): $2,895.50
BTN: $2,030
Pre-Flop: J 9 dealt to Hero (CO)
2 folds, Hero raises to $70, BTN folds, SB calls $60, BB calls $50
Flop: ($210) 4 Q K (3 Players)
SB checks, BB checks, Hero bets $175, SB calls $175, BB calls $175
Turn: ($735) 2 (3 Players)
SB checks, BB checks, Hero bets $550, 2 folds
Results: $735 Pot ($3 Rake)
Hero mucked J 9 and WON $732 (+$487 NET)
This one really isn’t suicidal at all. BB never has a monster here, and SB could have 44 or KQ, but it’s way more likely he’s got one pair. I don’t think either of them is going any further with less than two pair, and obviously I’ve got plenty of outs even if I am unlucky enough to run into a big hand (or a stubborn opponent).