Bluff catchers: hands that only beat bluffs
A bluff catcher is a hand that beats only bluffs. It loses to every value bet but wins against every bluff. Example: you hold top pair on a river where your opponent’s value hands are two pair or better, and their bluffs are missed draws. Your decision is simple in theory: call if they bluff often enough; fold if they don’t.
How often must they be bluffing?
Section titled “How often must they be bluffing?”Use pot odds:
| Bet size | Bluffs needed for a break-even call |
|---|---|
| 1/2 pot | 25% |
| 3/4 pot | 30% |
| Pot | 33% |
| 2x pot | 40% |
If you think the player bluffs more than that, call. If less, fold.
Questions that decide it
Section titled “Questions that decide it”- What’s the player type? Passive players bluff rarely: fold. Aggressive players bluff more: call more. See player types.
- Did draws miss? If the board had flush or straight draws that didn’t come in, there are more possible bluffs.
- Do you block value or block bluffs? Holding a card from their likely value hands is good; holding a card from their likely bluffs (e.g. the flush draw you think they missed) is bad. See blockers.
- Does the story make sense? A line that represents a hand that’s unlikely given earlier action is more often a bluff.
Good and bad spots
Section titled “Good and bad spots”- Good: aggressive player, flush draw missed on the river, you hold top pair and no cards of the missed suit.
- Bad: passive player suddenly bets big on a river that completes a straight. Fold.
Common mistakes
Section titled “Common mistakes”- Calling with bluff catchers against players who never bluff.
- Ignoring that a small bet needs very few bluffs: fold less to small bets.
- Calling because “I’ve got top pair” without thinking about what beats you.
See also hero call and facing a river overbet.
What is a bluff catcher in poker?
Section titled “What is a bluff catcher in poker?”A hand that beats only bluffs and loses to every value bet.
When should I call with a bluff catcher?
Section titled “When should I call with a bluff catcher?”When you believe the opponent bluffs more often than the pot odds require.
How often must someone bluff for me to call a pot-sized bet?
Section titled “How often must someone bluff for me to call a pot-sized bet?”About 33% of the time.
Should I call bluff catchers against passive players?
Section titled “Should I call bluff catchers against passive players?”Rarely. Passive players bluff too little for most calls to be profitable.