online poker games can put people on the spot at the casino. Situations arise that can force players to make a hard decision about what action to take. One such scenario is to be the player with a medium hand who is left to play heads up at the river against another player who puts out a raise. Everyone folds to the raise except the player with a medium hand that could be a winner, but then again, maybe not. This player is the only one who can expose the possible bluff by calling the bet. Naturally, the other players who folded are all curious about whether the raiser really has a hand or not. The pressure is on for the remaining player to be the bluff catcher.

In this situation, one has to carefully assess the board and consider the raiser’s previous actions. Perhaps you are holding pocket nines, and the board shows only rags. Your post-flop bet gets everyone to fold but one. Your hand appears to be ahead, but you check on the turn behind the other player. The river brings a scare card, like third to the flush or a paired board. Now your opponent bets out big. What do you do? Is it a bluff to steal the pot? Is your medium pair the best hand?

You must consider your opponent’s previous play, and whether that poker online player is known to bluff. The only way your hand can win is to call or raise the bet. You’re stuck with a bluff catcher and a hard choice.

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