Mike Caro

• By Mike Caro | Exit

Sure, it’s only natural to stare an opponent down, reach for your chips, or otherwise try to prevent your opponent from betting on the final round when you’re uncertain about your hand. But, wait!

Before you do that, listen to me. If you intend to call anyway, there’s no reason for you to discourage that bet, even if you wish it didn’t happen. Your opponent is very unlikely to be prevented from making bets with hands strong enough to beat you. But what you might discourage are bluffs — exactly the hands you’re hoping your opponent will have if you call.

So, as a general rule, on the last round of betting against a single opponent, never discourage a bet you intend to call.

Poker1.com: Related suggestions

• MCU poker tip: Don’t need an edge to have an edge
• MCU poker tip: Yes, you can play poker impaired!
• MCU poker tip: Winning pots