Bluff Catching Range
What Does Bluff Catching Range Mean in Poker?
Bluff catching range refers to the set of hands a poker player uses to call an opponent’s bet, anticipating the opponent might be bluffing. This range typically includes hands strong enough to beat bluffs but not necessarily strong enough to beat value bets. Learn more about online poker.
When You Might Hear Or Use The Term Bluff Catching Range
You might hear “bluff catching range” during discussions about calling decisions on later streets, especially in scenarios where a player must decide whether an opponent is value betting or bluffing.
In-Game Example
Imagine you’re in a heads-up situation on the river. The board reads 8726K, and your opponent bets. You hold 98. Your hand is in your bluff catching range because it can beat bluffs like missed spade draws but loses to value bets like a higher pocket pair.
Strategy / Tips
- Best Practice: Use bluff catching ranges in spots where opponents have many potential bluffs in their range, especially when board textures change drastically.
- Common Mistake: Overestimating your opponent’s bluffing frequency and calling too wide.
- Pro Tips: Adjust your bluff catching range based on your opponent’s tendencies; against aggressive bluffers, widen your range, and against tighter players, narrow it.
- Differences playing over the table vs online: Online play often provides more statistical data, while live play relies heavily on reading physical tells and table dynamics.
Alternative Names
“Bluff catcher,” “catching bluffs,” or simply “catching.”
FAQs
Q: What makes a good bluff catching hand?
A: A good bluff catching hand typically has showdown value but is not strong enough to value bet itself, like middle pair or weak top pair.
