Getting More Out of Your Bluffs – The “Delayed” Bluff
Looking for another way to increase your poker profits? Let’s examine an interesting little bluffing technique that will provide you with a bit of protection, and also pay out more.
We’ll call this technique the “Delayed” bluff. It’s basically a simple way to decrease your chances of being called when you bluff, and increase the pot you’ll win.
First, let’s examine how it works:
The “Delayed” bluff in action:
It’s called the “delayed” bluff for a reason…it’s not an immediate, overt bluff.
So, you spot a player who’s showing weakness. You think you have a chance at bluffing him out of the pot, or ‘buy the pot,’ but you want to make sure your bluff is profitable, and won’t be called. Instead of bluffing as soon as you know he’s weak, only raise the minimum in the current round. Then, make your real bluff on the next round.
Ok, you’re playing $2-$4 no limit texas hold’em, and you’re in late position. Peter, who is about to be your victim, leads out with a $20 raise pre-flop.
After a couple of players fold, you look down at your hole cards and see J-10 suited. Now, J-10 suited is not exactly a “premium” hand, but it is a hand that can be devastating to opponents if it hits. So, in late position, you make the $20 call.
Peter’s now facing off against you ‘heads up.’
Here’s the flop: 9s – 5d – 7c rainbow.
You’re probably not going to hit your flush (barring running suited cards); you didn’t make a pair; but you did pick up an inside straight draw. You could pick up an 8 to hit the straight, but hopefully you know better than to chase an inside straight draw.
Pete, however, is trying to follow up on his initial raise, and represent hitting something on the flop. He leads out with a $30 bet. Now, you know he didn’t hit anything on the flop. Pete has been pushing $30 bets out there representing the flop all night as if it’s going out of style. You’re putting Pete on over-cards, basically having nothing at this point, and now you want to steal the pot.
Here’s where the “Delayed” bluff comes into play.
Instead of taking a huge stab at the pot here, make the minimum raise. Raise Pete’s $30 bet, and make it $60 to go. You’re doing this basically to find out information, and set up your position to make the bluff pay off on the next betting round.
What information are you going to get? If Pete has a legitimate hand – something powerful – he’ll probably re-raise you. Since you’re holding an inside straight draw, now would be the time to fold if he comes over the top. HOWEVER, more often than not Pete will simply call your raise. This is a great sign. A call by Pete here means your read of his hand was correct, and he doesn’t have a strong hand. Pete could fold, but I wouldn’t count on it. Since he was the one leading with the bets, and since you’ve only raised the minimum, he’ll probably see that he’s pot committed to calling and won’t be scared off.
So, Pete doesn’t raise you. He calls.
The turn: 5s
The 5 of spades didn’t make your straight, or pair either of your cards, but it did pair the board. Now, Pete simply checks to you because of your raise. This is working nicely.
Now you’re ready to make your bluff at the pot. You lead out betting $120. Pete simply flips his cards over (K-J) and says he can’t make the call.
You much your hand, making everyone wonder what you ended up actually having, as you rake in the pot.
Why use the “Delayed” Bluff?
The “Delayed” Bluff allows you to take control of the hand, learn more information from your opponent so you can get a better read on them, builds the value of the pot, eliminates some risk, and makes your bluff look like you actually have something.
First, this technique allows you to take control of the hand by raising your opponent’s initial raise after they have been betting all along. Prior to your minimum raise, Pete was in control. He was the one driving the action. Your raise took the control from him and put you in the driver’s seat. Of course, if he were to re-raise you, then he would have taken back the control. You want your opponent to fold when you’re bluffing. Unless you take control of the hand, they won’t fold because they’ll still believe their in control.
Next, this technique allows you to learn more information about your opponent’s hand so you can get a better read on them. Let’s say that Pete ended up having QQ (or K-9...just an over-pair or top pair). You didn’t put him on an over pair. The minimum raise on the “Delayed” bluff gets rid of any confusion you might have towards what your opponent has after the flop. If Pete ended up with an over-pair, he would have simply re-raised you. At the very least, Pete’s going to be betting after the turn card doesn’t do anything for you either. By just calling, and then checking, he’s basically flipping his cards over and saying he doesn’t have squat.
Also, this technique builds up the value of the pot. By making the minimum raise, you added $30 to what you won in the pot. If you would have just made the big bluff attempt after the flop, or called and then made the raise on the turn, you wouldn’t have that extra $30 of Pete’s in the pot. Sneak this technique into your game a couple of times a night, and you’ll make yourself a good bit of money.
Worried about risk? Not with the “Delayed” bluff. Remember that you’ve already gained information from your opponent with the minimum raise. If your opponent has a monster, you’ll find out when they re-raise you, or bet the turn. Either way, you’ve got a clear sign to get out of the pot and save your chips for another battle.
Lastly, the “Delayed” bluff makes your bluff look like you actually have a hand. Let’s recap what you just did. You called the initial raise of $20 with a decent drawing hand. Then, you raised his next bet when the flop hit blanks. Lastly, you acted very strong when the turn didn’t help him either. Your opponent is getting confused. He doesn’t know what you have. His hand keeps getting worse, and you’re betting like your hand is improving. It doesn’t look like you’re bluffing. It looks like you’re winning! And you are!
Wrapping up the “Delayed” bluff:
That’s how you use the “Delayed” bluff. This is an excellent technique to add to your poker game, but remember to use in moderation. As will all poker strategies and techniques, it’s best to only use every-so-often, and not get carried away and use it all of the time. The more you use it, the quicker your opponents will figure out what you’re doing.
Plus, know that the “Delayed” bluff is a tool. It isn’t an entirely new pattern for you to use when bluffing. Work it into your normal bluffing techniques and watch the chips flow over to your side of the table.
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