A successful bluff

[Patrick Brennan]

Playing 1/3 at the Aria last night. I’m UTG with KdQc and open to $8. Folds to button who 3 bets to $28. I think for quite some time and decide on a call.

Flop is Jc10c10s. I check and button bets $35. I think for a while and decide folding with my draw is unwise because it is possible button is C betting with a wide range. Also, I have all the 10’s in this spot and could even have JJ. It’s possible he has jj but he can also have AA-QQ even though kk and qq are less likely considering my hand. I also think if I call here I’m likely to get a check back on the turn for pot control from button. Long story short… I call.

Turn 3d. I check and he checks back.

River 8c. I don’t take long to think here… maybe 8 seconds. I’ve completely missed but I’m pretty certain the best hand my opponent can have is AA. I’m hoping he doesn’t have a club because it will make this bluff less believable. I know he could have a flush but I’m blocking some of his 3 bet hands with the Qc. I bet $65. My opponent thinks and starts talking to himself about how bad he’s played the hand. He turns over two red Aces and folds.

Is this a good line by me or just dumb luck? The opponent was definitely a thinking player and I laid down and showed my flopped set to his river bet in the last hand we played together… he showed me his rivered straight in that hand.

[Chuck M]

I like the river bet, cause imo, when you c/c flop, you pretty much rep a draw, then lead the river when the main /most obvious draw comes in.

Pf, was 8 the standard opening? I personally think it’s pretty small. But in that situation, it doesn’t change much.

Flop, i like the c/c, you got equity plus you may try to bluff clubs (as you did)
Imo, I don’t think you have a lot of T’s in your range. That open from utg… Maybe ATs, would you open KT, QT, JT, T9, T8 from that position? I think there are more tens in villain’s range on the btn. He may have some jacks too and other stuff, like 2overs, mid pairs, connectors with or without a pair (or trips). That being said, i still like the c/c.

Turn check’s good. I think if I had been in villain’s shoes, I would’ve bet something like 60-65 ott, i think he wins the pot quite often when he bets there. His check back opens you a door to bluff river, and you did well there

Wp
When you showed him the fold with the set, that might help him to fold here, showing him that you can be tight

M2¢

[Patrick Brennan]

Thanks for the response Chuck. Yeah $8 is a small opening but there were 2-3 players who were pretty aggressive 3 betting a lot of players. I eventually increased my opens to $10-$11 after I earned some respect and started getting 3 bet less. I like the $8 open in these situations sometimes because players often don’t know how to read it. That being said, my last 2 sessions have all been $10 opens.

I get what you’re saying regarding the tens but I would definitely open K10s-J10s in this game even from under the gun. There were a couple of passive calling stations and I got many bluffs through. I think I only got picked off once all night.

And you’re totally right… If he bets $60-$65 on the river he wins that hand every time.

[DeeKay]

I think it was a great river bet. The important information is what you gave last. You are two thoughtful players and this is the only reason you can get this through. I think the key is calling the 3-bet pre-flop. With KQ off, that’s a little suspect unless you think the player is wide with his range. So, that was really the only situation I didn’t like, but that’s not the point.
I’m more curious why the Aces didn’t call. Given the pot control, makes it a very reasonable call… I mean, there was lots of ways to lose, but $65 is low enough that a curious player could call. Either way, nicely done.

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