Poker glossary

Picked Off

To be picked off is to get called when you are bluffing. Your opponent finds your bluff by calling.

The simple explanation

If you bet with nothing and the other player calls, you were picked off. You lose the bet.

A closer look

Getting picked off is part of bluffing: if nobody ever called, bluffing would be too easy. If you are picked off often, the opponents see you as a bluffer, and you should bluff less or choose better spots. The player who calls is said to pick you off. Calls like this need a good read, because a call with a weak hand is also a risk.

A practical example

A player bets 8 as a bluff with seven-six, and the opponent calls with a pair of nines. The bluff is picked off.

Full explanation

To be picked off is to get called when you are bluffing. Your opponent finds your bluff by calling.

Picked off means your bluff is called.

You lose the bet.

The player who calls picks you off.

If you are picked off often, change your bluffing.

Picked off

No-limit Hold’em · Blinds 1/2 chips · No rake

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 7 of hearts (7h)6 of diamonds (6d) · Stack 199 · In this round 1
- Player B BB 9 of diamonds (9d)8 of diamonds (8d) · Stack 198 · In this round 2
Preflop · Pot: 8 chips
Player A raises to 6 before the flop.
- Player A BTN / SB 7 of hearts (7h)6 of diamonds (6d) · Stack 194 · In this round 6
- Player B BB 9 of diamonds (9d)8 of diamonds (8d) · Stack 198 · In this round 2
Preflop · Pot: 12 chips
Player B calls. Each player has put in 6 chips.
- Player A BTN / SB 7 of hearts (7h)6 of diamonds (6d) · Stack 194 · In this round 6
- Player B BB 9 of diamonds (9d)8 of diamonds (8d) · Stack 194 · In this round 6
Flop · Pot: 12 chips
Player B has a pair of nines. Player A has nothing.
Board: King of spades (Ks)9 of clubs (9c)2 of hearts (2h)
- Player A BTN / SB 7 of hearts (7h)6 of diamonds (6d) · Stack 194 · In this round 0
- Player B BB 9 of diamonds (9d)8 of diamonds (8d) · Stack 194 · In this round 0
Flop · Pot: 12 chips
Player B checks.
Board: King of spades (Ks)9 of clubs (9c)2 of hearts (2h)
- Player A BTN / SB 7 of hearts (7h)6 of diamonds (6d) · Stack 194 · In this round 0
- Player B BB 9 of diamonds (9d)8 of diamonds (8d) · Stack 194 · In this round 0
Flop · Pot: 20 chips
Player A bets 8 as a bluff.
Board: King of spades (Ks)9 of clubs (9c)2 of hearts (2h)
- Player A BTN / SB 7 of hearts (7h)6 of diamonds (6d) · Stack 186 · In this round 8
- Player B BB 9 of diamonds (9d)8 of diamonds (8d) · Stack 194 · In this round 0
Flop · Pot: 28 chips
Player B calls with his pair. The bluff is caught: Player A is picked off.
Board: King of spades (Ks)9 of clubs (9c)2 of hearts (2h)
- Player A BTN / SB 7 of hearts (7h)6 of diamonds (6d) · Stack 186 · In this round 8
- Player B BB 9 of diamonds (9d)8 of diamonds (8d) · Stack 186 · In this round 8

Cards are shown for learning; totals are displayed before pot collection.

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