Let's Talk Balance

Originally Posted by daviddem

Your range is balanced only if your opponent is aware of it. It is not necessary to balance your range against an opp who only thinks about his cards and not yours: just value bet him. That's why it is often advised not to bluff at the micros: there is less need for balancing, since your opponents are less aware of your range.

So would we then show a bluff if we take it down on occasion? I never show ever but I could see there may be an occasion when it would be beneficial.

Originally Posted by HarleyGuy13

So would we then show a bluff if we take it down on occasion? I never show ever but I could see there may be an occasion when it would be beneficial.

No, I don't think you should show your cards -- do not give away free information. Don't forget that your bluffs are +EV when they take down the pot by forcing a better hand to fold.

Showing a bluff (either because it failed and you lost the pot, or because you showed your cards when you didn't have to) forces you to make an adjustment decision: (a) will this opponent adjust and start calling wider? or (b) will he just continue to play his robotic game?

Unnecessarily showing your bluffs forces you to make these adjustment decisions more often then you normally would. Plus, the smarter your opponent, the more they are going to realize that you have a bluffing range simply because of your betting frequency, so there is no reason to confirm their suspicions. Let them make a call/raise and find out for sure (hopefully when you're betting for value).