Represent
To represent is to play as if you hold a specific hand, whether you actually have it or not. For example, a large bet on an ace-high board represents an ace.
The simple explanation
If you raise before the flop and bet when an ace comes, your opponent will think that you have an ace. You are representing it. When you do not really have it, you are bluffing.
A closer look
Representing means that your betting line tells a consistent story, so a good bluff represents hands that are plausible in your range. Think about which hands the line shows and whether the opponent can believe them. You should also think about what hands the opponent will believe: against a player who never folds, representing does not work. The word is also used when a player has the hand: he represents it honestly.
A practical example
You bet on a board of A♠ 7♣ 2♥ with K♦ J♦. Your bet represents an ace.
Full explanation
To represent is to play as if you hold a specific hand, whether you actually have it or not. For example, a large bet on an ace-high board represents an ace.
To represent means to play as if you had a specific hand.
It is usually used when bluffing.
The betting line must tell a consistent story.
It does not work against opponents who never fold.
Representing a hand
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 diamonds (Kd)JJack of diamonds (Jd) · Stack 199 · In this round 1
- Player B BB 99 of hearts (9h)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 diamonds (Kd)JJack of diamonds (Jd) · Stack 194 · In this round 6
- Player B BB 99 of hearts (9h)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 diamonds (Kd)JJack of diamonds (Jd) · Stack 194 · In this round 6
- Player B BB 99 of hearts (9h)88 of hearts (8h) · Stack 194 · In this round 6
- Flop · Pot: 12 chips
The flop brings an ace. Player A does not have one.
Board: AAce of spades (As)77 of clubs (7c)22 of hearts (2h)
- Player A BTN / SB KKing of diamonds (Kd)JJack of diamonds (Jd) · Stack 194 · In this round 0
- Player B BB 99 of hearts (9h)88 of hearts (8h) · Stack 194 · In this round 0
- Flop · Pot: 12 chips
Player B checks.
Board: AAce of spades (As)77 of clubs (7c)22 of hearts (2h)
- Player A BTN / SB KKing of diamonds (Kd)JJack of diamonds (Jd) · Stack 194 · In this round 0
- Player B BB 99 of hearts (9h)88 of hearts (8h) · Stack 194 · In this round 0
- Flop · Pot: 18 chips
Player A bets 6. He represents an ace: he plays as if he had one.
Board: AAce of spades (As)77 of clubs (7c)22 of hearts (2h)
- Player A BTN / SB KKing of diamonds (Kd)JJack of diamonds (Jd) · Stack 188 · In this round 6
- Player B BB 99 of hearts (9h)88 of hearts (8h) · Stack 194 · In this round 0
Cards are shown for learning; totals are displayed before pot collection.