Finally got to play my first live poker of the new year. I finished 3rd out of 14. It was just a $10 buy in tournement. I played a standard tight aggressive game against all the maniacs. One new guy there that I never played against who was very aggressive and winning a lot of pots. I had :Jc: :3s: in the BB and it was limped to me. I take the free flop and miss. I check, super aggressive bets. He has been betting whenever it is checked to him. I flat call looking to check raise no matter what hits on the turn. Turn was a blank, he bets and folds to my check raise. I showed my bluff. Question, do you show your cards there? My reasoning there is maybe put him on tilt, another was to put a seed in his mind that I am capable of bluffing. I was hoping to make that play again with a strong hand but the situation never presented itself. That is the only exciting hand that I can remember. I went out when my :Qc: :Qs: ran in to :Kh: :Kd:

Played the side cash game for about an hour and left up $20 from that (.5/1 NL). I needed a good night at the table. Time to gear up for AC.....

I like to show that bluff. If you are playing tight then you just helped your image. You always want them to think you are playing opposite of the style you are actually playing. They are usually looking for an excuse to call you and that bluff is a good one in my opinion.

One thing though, in a tournament you have to make some steals and you are going to get called down a little too much at most home games. So even showing one bluff will likely get your steals called. Chances are you'll get called anyhow so don't worry about that too much.

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They laughed at Columbus, they laughed at Fulton, they laughed at the Wright brothers. But they also laughed at Bozo the Clown. - Carl Sagan

Most of the guys in the home game I have been playing against for a few years. So I know who I can steal from and who will not lay down there hands. They know I am a tight player but capable of making plays also. I try to mix my style up as much as I can.