The check and delayed bluff can be a powerful poker weapon

There are certain hold'em situations against unknown opponents in which you can make the same play with a high level of success. One of my favorite plays is a version of a delayed bluff. A delayed bluff is typically defined as calling a bet with the intention of bluffing on a later street. You also can delay a bluff by checking a scary flop with the intention of stealing the pot on the turn.

The following situation occurs occasionally and is a great time to try a check and delayed bluff. You raise before the flop and get one caller from the blinds. A high pair comes on the flop, such as A-A-X, K-K-X, or Q-Q-X, and your opponent checks. If you check behind him, the first thought that often comes into his mind is that you are slow-playing your hand. Generally, your opponents will check the turn and you'll frequently win the pot by betting.

This article was written soon after the birth of my first son, Joshua, back in January of 2004.  I guess my estimate of the WSOP reaching 5000 entrants was off by about 20 years!  Who would have guessed there would be over 2500 this year!

21-year old Joshua “the Chief” Hilger outplayed 5,000 of the top poker players in the world to take home the $40 million prize and the 2025 World Series of Poker championship. This year’s event again was limited to 5,000 entrants, but every entrant paid a record $25,000 each setting a new record with a total prize pool of $125 million and a whopping $40 million going to the winner.