Bluff Catcher
A bluff catcher is a hand that can win only if the opponent is bluffing.
The simple explanation
A bluff catcher is a hand that can win only if the opponent is bluffing. It is not strong enough to bet for value, because better hands call, but it is strong enough to beat a bluff. You call with it and hope that your opponent has nothing.
A closer look
Bluff catchers usually appear on the river, where there is no more information to come. The decision to call depends on two numbers: how often the opponent bluffs and what price the pot offers. If the pot gives 3 to 1, you need to be right about one time in four. Because a bluff catcher loses to every value hand, a player should call with it only when the opponent's range contains enough bluffs.
A practical example
Player B holds a pair of eights on an ace-high board and calls Player A's bet. The hand wins only if Player A has no ace, which makes it a bluff catcher.
Full explanation
A bluff catcher is a hand that can win only if the opponent is bluffing.
A bluff catcher is a hand that can only beat a bluff. It is not strong enough to bet for value but is strong enough to call when the opponent may be bluffing.
The usual example is a middle pair on the river facing a large bet. If the opponent has a better pair or a flush, you lose. If he has nothing, you win.
Calling with a bluff catcher is a pure bluff-catching decision. It depends on the number of bluffs in the opponent’s range compared with the number of value hands, and on the pot odds.
The opposite is a hand that bets for value.
Alternative spelling: bluffcatcher, bluff-catcher
A bluff catcher
No-limit Hold’em · Blinds 1/2 chips · No rake
The blinds are 1 and 2 chips. Heads-up, the dealer (D) also posts the small blind.
Read the example transcript
Player A has the button (BTN) and posts the 1-chip small blind (SB). Player B posts the 2-chip big blind (BB).
- Preflop · Pot: 3 chips
The blinds are 1 and 2 chips. Heads-up, the dealer (D) also posts the small blind.
- Player A BTN / SB KKing of hearts (Kh)QQueen of spades (Qs) · Stack 199 · In this round 1
- Player B BB 88 of spades (8s)88 of hearts (8h) · Stack 198 · In this round 2
- Preflop · Pot: 8 chips
Player A raises to 6 before the flop.
- Player A BTN / SB KKing of hearts (Kh)QQueen of spades (Qs) · Stack 194 · In this round 6
- Player B BB 88 of spades (8s)88 of hearts (8h) · Stack 198 · In this round 2
- Preflop · Pot: 12 chips
Player B calls. Each player has put in 6 chips.
- Player A BTN / SB KKing of hearts (Kh)QQueen of spades (Qs) · Stack 194 · In this round 6
- Player B BB 88 of spades (8s)88 of hearts (8h) · Stack 194 · In this round 6
- Flop · Pot: 12 chips
The flop has an ace. Player B has a pair of eights and acts first.
Board: AAce of clubs (Ac)77 of diamonds (7d)22 of spades (2s)
- Player A BTN / SB KKing of hearts (Kh)QQueen of spades (Qs) · Stack 194 · In this round 0
- Player B BB 88 of spades (8s)88 of hearts (8h) · Stack 194 · In this round 0
- Flop · Pot: 12 chips
Player B checks.
Board: AAce of clubs (Ac)77 of diamonds (7d)22 of spades (2s)
- Player A BTN / SB KKing of hearts (Kh)QQueen of spades (Qs) · Stack 194 · In this round 0
- Player B BB 88 of spades (8s)88 of hearts (8h) · Stack 194 · In this round 0
- Flop · Pot: 18 chips
Player A bets 6.
Board: AAce of clubs (Ac)77 of diamonds (7d)22 of spades (2s)
- Player A BTN / SB KKing of hearts (Kh)QQueen of spades (Qs) · Stack 188 · In this round 6
- Player B BB 88 of spades (8s)88 of hearts (8h) · Stack 194 · In this round 0
- Flop · Pot: 24 chips
Player B calls with a pair of eights. The hand beats a bluff but loses to any ace, so it is a bluff catcher.
Board: AAce of clubs (Ac)77 of diamonds (7d)22 of spades (2s)
- Player A BTN / SB KKing of hearts (Kh)QQueen of spades (Qs) · Stack 188 · In this round 6
- Player B BB 88 of spades (8s)88 of hearts (8h) · Stack 188 · In this round 6
Cards are shown for learning; totals are displayed before pot collection.