Post oak bluff

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A post oak bluff is a tiny bet in no-limit or pot-limit poker which uses reverse psychology in an attempt to steal the pot. It holds comparatively little risk for the player making the bet.

A player executing the post oak bluff bets a small amount relative to the size of the pot (typically of the order of 1/10th the pot), in order to create the impression that he is trying to lure the other player into the pot. In this way, he mimics the play he might make if he had a strong hand, where it is known as a "here kitty kitty" or "come hither" bet.

When successful, the other player(s) fold rather than fall into the perceived trap. However, the pot odds presented by the bet — 11 to 1 — are usually too good for the opposing player to reject unless they are absolutely convinced they're beaten. However, in order to be successful in the long term, a 1/10th pot size bluff need only succeed one time in ten.

The term itself often carries derogatory connotations and it is frequently seen as a weak play, as the player takes the overcautious approach by not betting too much. Thus, this strategy often undermines the chances of the bluff working.

The term was popularized by Doyle Brunson in his book Super/System, who described the move as "gutless." Brunson also claims that he never makes the play.