NL10 - Is this a bad bluff?
NL10 - Is this a bad bluff?

NL10 - Is this a bad bluff?

PokerStars - $0.05 NL (6 max) - Holdem - 5 players
Hand converted by PokerTracker 4

BTN: 191.8 BB
Hero (SB): 103.6 BB
BB: 235.8 BB
UTG: 179 BB
CO: 100 BB

Hero posts SB 0.4 BB, BB posts BB 1 BB

Pre Flop: (pot: 1.4 BB) Hero has Q 9

fold, fold, fold, Hero raises to 3 BB, BB calls 2 BB

Flop: (6 BB, 2 players) K 6 A
Hero bets 4 BB, BB calls 4 BB

Turn: (14 BB, 2 players) 7
Hero checks, BB checks

River: (14 BB, 2 players) 2
Hero bets 13 BB, BB calls 13 BB

Hero shows Q 9 (High Card, Ace)
(Pre 36%, Flop 3%, Turn 0%)
BB shows J K (One Pair, Kings)
(Pre 64%, Flop 97%, Turn 100%)
BB wins 38 BB

I put him on Kx, I decided too bluff at the river. I didn't put him on Ax because an Ace would would bet the turn. I decided to bet big to put pressure on his Kx.

Is this a bad bluff line?

31 July 2025 at 10:46 PM
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5 Replies



I play a ton of range checking in SB v BB due to how wide I open (unless I am playing Vs someone I believe is defending optimally) if I was to open normally then I would play overbet and check on this board just puts so much of his range into a rough spot, PP Kx and all hating life and even his Ax are not happy.

River I use pretty much the same logic and would play overbet again making him hate life with a lot of his range


Not a huge fan just because your hand has virtually no way of improving.

Otf you can overbet or bet small, your choice. This hand goes in your small betting range.

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From his point of view* your bet-check-bet line doesn't make much sense as most players at 5nl will never check an Ace on the turn when there's a flopped flush draw out there. When you bluff you need to tell a story. What story are you telling here? That you hit a set of 2's? That's a tough hand to make - more likely that this is what it transpired to be...a desperate bluff.

*If he's even thinking of your range


I think the bluff becomes a little better with a smaller flop bet. When you bet flop small, check turn, and bet river I think there's more likely to be weak Ax in your range. It's probably disputable that your villains see it this way but I'd play weak Ax like that. I don't remember what your position was as I type this so idk how much weak Ax we have


It’s fine: consider using a overbet as well but it’s wp.

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