Short Poker Tables: Bluffing Shorthanded

Short Tables, Bluffing
August 31 2008

When you’re playing at a short-handed table, expect to see more bluffs, because fewer players in a pot almost always leads to more bluffing. With fewer people seated at the table there’s bound to be more hands with fewer players, thus more betting.

Not only will you see more bluffing at a short-handed table, but you should also be attempting more bluffs as well. At a short-handed table you must be extremely aggressive to make money, and bluffing is a big part of aggressive play. Whenever you think there’s even a chance that a bluff will allow you to steal the pot at a short-handed table, you should take it.

Identifying which players are tight and/or weak at a short-handed table is crucial because this will greatly improve your chances at making successful bluffs. Spotting the loose players is also a smart idea because this will tell you who not to bluff against, unless of course you like losing money. You should also be on the lookout for full-table converts who generally do not play aggressive enough when they first step down to short-handed table. These less-aggressive players tend to be prime bluff targets.

You should also be semi-bluffing much more at short-handed tables. Not only does this give you more chances of stealing pots, but it will stop you from being passive and constantly checking your draws. Semi-bluffing is an aggressive move, which makes it a solid option at optimal times at short-handed tables. After semi-bluffing, you will either win the pot or get another card that could help you. Even if the card does not help you, you can attempt another bluff to try and steal the pot again.

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