Showing Your Cards in Online Poker

Showing your cards in online poker? You will find every poker player has a different opinion whether to show their hole cards when their opponent folds. Personally I don’t like to show when seated at a ring table but during tournament play every once in a while I find it necessary. Of course this depends on who your opponent are.

I wouldn’t recommend showing your cards in online poker with an advanced player or online pro seated at the table. You show one too many they will end up reading your future bluffs like an open book. Today we will review three situations where showing your cards during tournament play will help set up future hands and give you an added edge.

Showing the Nuts: This is a strategy where you show the best possible hand, which is also known in poker as the nuts. I tend to show these hands only when a big pot is taken down and I have made a significant raise on the river. Let’s say for example you’re holding the nut flush and two players call you down to the river. They check it over and you bet out 500. Both players fold and you show the ace high flush. This can set up a future bluff, where you may find yourself in a similar situation on the river and bet out 500 as a stone cold bluff (buying the pot). The chances of them folding are likely if they feel you are a tight player and wouldn’t be bluffing with a bet identical to the nut flush shown before. This works only if you rarely bluff and have not been previously caught by your opponents, keeping your table image tight.

Showing a Bluff: I only show bluffs during short handed play, 6 players or less at the table. Ideally you should stay away from showing too many bluffs because it will cause your opponents to lose respect for your raises and they will put you on a steal every hand. Now if you’re looking to upset your opponent and put him on tilt, that’s another thing. Showing a bluff when a player has you beat often angers novice and intermediate players. And if you decide to show numerous bluffs many players will put a target on you and call you down every hand. So be ready for an onslaught of action if you choose this strategy. Let’s just say the ideal time to show a bluff is when you’re looking to get more action from your opponents and its best not to use this move more than once or twice a game.

Showing a Fold: This situation will arise when your cards are beat and want to show your opponent the smart lay down. Again I wouldn’t make this a common practice because if you show too many lay downs your opponent will know exactly what type of player you are. Even worse if your laying down the winner your opponent will know he can make moves on you. So ideally the best time to show a fold is when you know your opponent has hit their straight or flush and want to show your two pair or trips. If done correctly your opponent will gain respect for your game. Folding a strong hand correctly will show your opponent you have the ability to read the board and can make the tough lay down.

To review be cautious when your showing bluffs or folds. Don’t make it a common habit of showing your cards as you will be effectively giving up critical information to your opponents. Advanced players will pick up on your style quickly and make the necessary adjustments. If you are looking for a good time to show, start with showing the nuts. This will improve your overall table image and gain respect from your opponents. Your future raises will be called carefully and anyone looking to re-raise will remember your style of play. As you are able to build up your table image of a tight player, then you can mix in a few bluffs to put your players on tilt.

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Byron Badd, Gambling911.com

Originally published June 16, 2007 3:04 pm ET