I have a theory about showing hands and mucking cards. I think it can be a very psychological advantage.
Now, as you know most called hands, when the opponent mucks theirs, you can review what they had in "history." So these mucks really don't count towards what I am trying to get at.
I understand why alot of people muck their hands...they feel like this psychologically works to their advantage because their opponent a) becomes curious about what they have and eventually calls b) it makes the passive person wonder if their hand could have stood up c) their BIG loose fishy's who call everything and are utterly ashamed.
My theory is "IF YOU'VE GOT IT, FLAUNT IT"
If you're sitting with alot of people who muck their cards...show your good wins!!! (the hands you KNOW they couldn't have beaten). I think that, psychologically, this makes them feel like their hands don't match up when you bet. This makes bluffs easier against the loose aggressive...you force them to think..hmmm...she always bets that amount with high pocket pairs...I guess I should fold my 10J suited. I think the same can go for your folds...given the opportunity, show the big better that you would NEVER bet into whatever it is they have with your 72os. They will see that you don't call and don't bet with a lousy hand. I think that this can work to your advantage too, because it tells them that your bets ALWAYS mean something.
All of that being said, I think there is the exception when you want to muck that uncalled hand because you bluffed the hell out of them; and showing them the bluff could undo all the hard showing and psychological play you've already accomplished.
So my question to everyone is: Do you think that it is advantageous to muck all of your hands, good or bad? Or is it advantageous to flaunt the good ones and show the bad ones you would've NEVER played? Or is it advantageous to muck some, show some, muck some more, show some more?
especially if its not particularly easy to turn the auto muck all hands on and off
but I agree there is some advantage in showing occasionally - I would only use show and tell as a setup for the conditions of the table.
And also only in a tournie
If the table really is tight then I may steal very publicly and then tightenup my game ready for a big take down
If the table is loose then Im playing tight anyway - So you already have them tilting when you consistently put in decent size raises - they'll see when you have the cards
So generally I would virtually always muck hands - but would use the option occasionally
If find putting your hand in the chat box much more effective - because some believe you and some don't - They check your history and see anyway
By using the chat - sometimes I would say of got the hand they put me on - which may or may not be true - sometimes I'm honest - say I take a hand down with junk I might just rub it in on a tight table if they folded because they put me on a hand
This is a much more powerful tool as they still don't really know for sure and you get the chance to tilt them somemore
yes, i think if you show too often (especially on a bluff), you're going to end up with a lot more callers and a higher chance for bad beats and slow plays against you. generally i like to stay as invisble as possible until later in the game and then loosen up. of course, this can't always be the case and that's why the ability to change your game can be crucial especially if you're going to go for the big take down (a very useful ploy if you've been caught out on a bluff and appear loose).
Very good insight... I probably do show more often than I should...I think it is true that it all depends on the table and the type of people you are playing. The psychology definetly works both ways!
It makes sense to show your winning hand when you've got the cards to show everyone you dont fuck around, the only good time to show a bluff is when youre about to tighten up so it makes people think maybe youre betting on cards you shouldnt be and theyll be more likely to bet into you when youve got the nuts
It makes sense to show your winning hand when you've got the cards to show everyone you dont fuck around, the only good time to show a bluff is when youre about to tighten up so it makes people think maybe youre betting on cards you shouldnt be and theyll be more likely to bet into you when youve got the nuts
i think it is good to show sometimes but not all the time.but when u do show i myself show both bluffs and the nut hands to throw them off.but thats my theory..
a) When I am in a joker poker mode, eg -- raising to 55 with pocket fives.. -- Stiff raise from UTG followed by pot size continuation bet, then show 72o when everyone folds.
b) to correct a table image to my advantage
c) When someone has been pondering the full timebank every street and makes a very good laydown, I like to reward it by showing my hand. I already have the chips, so it is a matter of good spormanship.
d) freerolls on partypoker when you are headsup because the other 8 players are sitting out. Will show every steal under Q7 to get the player to loosen up below sane levels.
Muck all of them, 99.9% of the hands you play should be mucked, given the fact there are people that can pick up any sort of information from every hand you show.
In tourneys I ussually "rabbits" when no one calls my BB, and I will ONLY RABBITS OR SHOW ONE HAND *if* they ask politely and *If* I know that the effect this will have on people is convenient for me.
For instance: I bluffed a guy out, he asks me to show or rabbit, and he shows he folded the best hand. At that moment I'd show or rabbit, just so he knows I bluffed him. Then I know that THAT GUY will CALL ME on 88% my bets, cause he'll be suspicious.
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Muck, Show, Both
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