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.

[Author]

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