bluff-catcher
What Does bluff-catcher Mean in Poker?
A bluff-catcher is a poker hand that can only win by calling a bluff, typically not strong enough to beat a legitimate hand but enough to beat a bluff.
When You Might Hear Or Use The Term bluff-catcher:
This term is commonly mentioned in situations where a player is deciding whether to call a bet with a hand that doesn’t have much value, but could still beat an opponent who is bluffing.
In-Game Example:
Imagine you have a pair of 5s on a board of A Q 7 J 3 and your opponent makes a large river bet. Your pair of 5s is likely a bluff-catcher here, hoping your opponent doesn’t have an Ace or any higher pair.
Strategy / Tips:
- Best Practice: Use bluff-catchers when your opponent’s betting range includes a significant number of bluffs.
- Common Mistake: Misidentifying the situation where your opponent is actually value betting rather than bluffing.
- Pro Tips: Consider your opponent’s tendencies; if they’re known to bluff often, your bluff-catcher might be more valuable.
- Differences playing over the table vs online: Live play allows for physical tells, which can aid in identifying bluff situations; online, rely more on betting patterns and timing.
Alternative names:
No widely recognized alternative names.
FAQs:
Q: Can a bluff-catcher be a strong hand?
A: Generally, a bluff-catcher is not a strong hand. It’s a hand that is decent enough to call a bluff but not strong enough to beat a value bet.
