Select Language
5.6 Poker - Show me your Hand
Most internet poker rooms give you the option to show your cards, after you have just won a pot by your opponent folding.
The general rule is to not show your hand unless you have to – stick to this, there is no need to give additional information to your opponent if you don’t have to.
But even though you are not going to use this tactic in your strategy you need to be aware of it, and why other people might do it.
Players who show good hands are either
- Overexcited at getting a big hand and not getting a chance to show it or
- They are showing you a good hand so that next time they want to steal the pot you give them more respect because they have shown you that they raised with a good hand.
Players who show bluffs are either
- Trying to temp you into tilt mode or
- Trying to get you to jump to the wrong conclusion – the next time they make a raise the chances are they’ll have a good hand, and because you’ve seen them bluff the pot, they are hoping that you jump to conclusions and assume that this is just another bluff and call with a weakened hand.
The way to deal with aggressive players who bluff a lot is to wait for a good hand and call their bluff at that stage. Do not jump to conclusions with people you know bluff and try and call their bluff with a marginal hand, call if your hand is good enough to call and fold if it isn’t. Don’t let the other players strategy of showing bluffs affect your decisions.
Remember, even very loose aggressive players who bluff a lot hit good hands on a regular basis, not all their raises will be with 7 2 offsuit!
CONTINUE TO NEXT SECTION - 5.7
