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There comes a time in a poker player’s career when they know they’ve risen to the next level. Believe it or not, a lot of it has to do with either making an amazing call or pulling off a big-time bluff. These two types of plays let your opponents know that you shouldn’t be messed with and should be taken seriously at all times. Your table image will skyrocket. Whether it’s online poker, live poker, a cash game, or a poker tournament, increasing your table image will pay dividends. Opponents will be more fearful of getting involved with you, which will allow you to steal more pots with simple raises.

A great call is something you go with when you trust your read. How good does it feel to call an all-in with A-high and win? It’s up there with hitting a walk-off home run. It’s also a good poker strategy to let others know you will call in that spot. It’s advertising for future play.

That said, if you play poker, you know there is one play that really sends your table image into the stratosphere. That play is none other than the check raise bluff. When other players see you pull this off, you know you have officially made it to the poker major leagues.

There are good and bad times to use the check raise bluff. You don’t want to use it when there are a lot of people in the hand. Regardless of what types of players they are, you will probably get called or raised. There’s a good chance someone out there was trapping.

The best time to use the check raise bluff is when you’re against one or two players (preferably one) and the opponent is someone you know is at least relatively easy to scare out of a pot. You also want to use it when your opponent bets out strong at the flop. Why? Because if your opponent is betting strong on the flop it means he’s either bluffing or trying to protect a weak to marginal hand. When you check raise, you’re representing a monster. The odds of your opponent calling are slim.

Follow the rules above and check raise bluff your way to more winnings and an improved table image. If you pull it off successfully, you well end up controlling the table. When you play poker, that’s the ultimate goal.