Showing hands in poker?

Question

I used to show hands often, just to show people i'm not bluffing. However, I feel this is hurting my overall game. Also, I see a lot of people who show bluffs lose miserably.

When is it best to show cards, and why?

Answer 1

i rarely show my cards. when i do it is usually in a spot where i know by showing i can put someone on tilt. Im a very conservative player so when i am in a hand my table image usually affords me some respect. but when i am in a hand that i am semi-bluffing and it pays off, i like to show and let the table know that i can switch up my style when i need to.

Answer 2

I, seldom if ever, show my cards.  With that being said, I will do it, if I know I can rattle on person at the table and put them on tilt, I will show a bluff (only once during a whole session of poker).  But, you can bet your bottom dollar, I won't be bluffing for awhile after I do that.  I am a tight/aggressive player so showing the one bluff will get me some action that I otherwise would not get.  If you are a solid tight player you almost have to show a bluff in order to get action for your good hands.  That is for texas holdem.  Omaha both hi and 8ob and all stud variants I only show cards at showdown, players are looser as a whole in those games.  2/7 triple draw if you are in the hand folks are gonna see your cards unless y ou brick on third draw.

Answer 3

Best time to show cards?  Never.  I don't mind showing in a home game every now and again, but when I'm playing against folks I don't know, or at a casino, I don't show unless I have to.  When playing online, I keep the automuck button checked.  

Showing works for seasoned pros.  They know all the ins and outs of the game more than folks who play mostly for recreation.

Answer 4

I never show my cards because it shows what you will bet with. Since the whole idea of playing poker is to keep the opposition off-guard in the hopes of out-playing them; there's no need at all to do so. I think there are two reasons why players show cards: 1. To show someone they made a good fold. OR 2. To attempt to tilt someone by showing that they did win on a bluff. I belive you'll be better served by not showing; save the shows for the showdown!

Answer 5

The only time to show, is when you opponent pays to see it.  SImple.  

Just remember, no call, no show.

Answer 6

I show cards for 2 reasons.  One, if I'm on a big run and everyone thinks I'm bluffing to the point where the calls are getting ridiculous, I'll show a monster to back them off.  The other time is if they're playing me super tight, I'll show a bluff to loosen them up.

The only other time you'd want to show is if you hit quads or a straight flush and wanted to brag or win a high hand jackpot.

Answer 7

The best time to show cards is when you've won a big pot by bluffing.

Answer 8

The only time I show my cards is if I am in the BB and everyone folds to me.

Answer 9

The only time, the 7,2 OS bluff....thats the only hand I'll show, other wise your giving up information every time you show.

Answer 10

I play Poker FULL Time and my advise is this...

Never show any cards EVER..

Poker is 80% about information you can get on a player.. Why give free information away... The only time another player should be seeing your cards is when he called and your both all in and he is on his way home...

Answer 11

I never show my hand.  The only time I would show would be if I was playing with a lot of weak players and I wanted to advertise, for example, showing a bluff to induce calls later.  I would only do this once, near the beginning.  However, if you're against weak players which will fall for this, you probably don't need to advertise anyway as they will pay you off with weak play anyway.  So I believe that you can't go wrong if you never show.