Most experienced poker players are familiar with the river bluff with nothing but a busted flush... a desperate measure. You're holding the nut flush draw and since you started with a suited Big Slick, you find yourself pushing it hard all the way to the river against one lone and tenacious caller.
Ace-King of hearts in the hole and two more hearts pop up on the flop. What's not to like... especially since there is no pair or even any straight draws? OK, you've played your holding aggressively and have one opponent who has called every bet you've made. The river is an offsuit blank adding to a board that is as diverse as the United Nations and the action is on you. Should you dog it or fire out another bet? Many players figure they can't win unless they bet and make their opponent lay down his hand.
We've all been there. How do you play that situation? Do you figure that desperate times call for desperate measures and fire another barrel? When the only way you can possibly win is to force your opponent to fold, that last bet may be required. Personally, I don't think holding Big Slick is one of those times. Your opponent called all the way. Why do you think he will fold to one more bet? Do you think he will lay down a superior hand? What hand or range of hands have you put him on? Maybe he was drawing to the same flush. Maybe he just wouldn't release that middle pair he hit on the flop.
The fact of the matter is you either have him beat or you don't. That analysis, while very simplistic, is absolutely accurate. If you agree with that premise, you should realize that it is folly to bet. If your opponent was on the same flush draw and hasn't made even a pair, he will fold if you bet. Congratulations, you will win but guess what ... you would have won in a showdown without risking a bet. If he called all the way with a pair, he will call your desperate measure bluff and you will have wasted a bet. This is one of those times when your opponent will only call you if he has you beaten, so risking a bet is foolhardy.
There are many times that firing another barrel on the end is exactly the desperate measure that needs to be taken. In the example used it is all about position. Let's take this example one step further. You were aggressive all the way but out of position. So, let's say you check the river as suggested but your opponent now bets. Do you call or throw your ace high busted flush into the muck? If, in fact, he has a busted flush in the same suit, as long as he hasn't made a pair, your hand will prevail. However, with your check he should be betting. He can only win by encouraging you to fold. In this situation you need to know your opponent's playing tendencies.
Our goal for today's time together is to review our desperation bluffs on the end to evaluate whether or not we just make them automatically figuring we can't win unless we bet, or if they are well thought out. With Big Slick on the end, which can beat any unpaired busted hand, save that desperation bluff for when it is truly necessary.
See you next "TIME"
Tom "Time" Leonard has played poker in Atlantic City, Las Vegas, and California for more than 30 years and written about the game since 1994. Contact Tom at thleonard@msn.com.
