Sure, it’s only natural to stare an opponent down, reach for your chips, or otherwise try to prevent your opponent from betting on the final round when you’re uncertain about your hand. But, wait!
No reason
Before you do that, listen to me. If you intend to call anyway, there’s usually no reason for you to discourage that bet, even if you wish it didn’t happen. Your opponent is very unlikely to be prevented from making bets with hands strong enough to beat you.
But what you might discourage are bluffs and ill-advised value bets. And those are exactly the hands you’re hoping your opponent will have when you call.
Almost never
So, as a general rule, on the last round of betting against a single opponent, almost never discourage a bet you intend to call. Instead, encourage your opponent to bet. That way more hands will be included. You’ll beat most of the ones added, giving yourself better odds.— MC
