What Does Strategic Bluff Mean?

What does the term "strategic bluff" mean? What is the definition of the term "strategic bluff" in poker?

In poker, a "strategic bluff" is a bluff that is executed with a longer-term purpose in mind.

For instance - let's say that you have absolute nothing in your hand in two straight pots. In both pots, you decide to fire on the river, and in both pots, your opponent looks you up and takes down the pot.

Now, after these two pots, everyone at the table is going to think that you bluff the river when you don't have anything. If you use this to your advantage, you can potentially set yourself up to win a very big pot down the road.





For instance, let's say that in the very next hand, you are dealt pocket Aces. The board reads A-A-8-9-J on the river, giving you Quad Aces and the absolute nuts in the hand.

There are two other players in the hand after the river card is dealt. The first player to act puts out a small bet which is called by the second player. Action is now on you.

Now, in this case, both players likely have something, which makes a big move by you a great idea, as you have set up your image as a river bluffer with the previous two hands.

You decide to push all-in. After a bit of thought, the first player to act calls, while the second player folds.

The calling player shows J-Q for Aces and Jacks, while you flip over your pocket Aces for Quads.

This is a situation where you set up your image and then exploited it in a future hand.


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