Getting caught w/air early in a session to set up an image
 

My usual strategy in a cash game is to play tight early and then loosen up later on. Yesterday I played 2 tables where I got caught with air early on and it paid off big down the road. Seems lately I'm running into more and more players that get pissed off if they think you're the type that will run a bluff at them. So, if you set up this image early I think it will lead to getting paid off later in the session. At both these tables yesterday I wound-up stacking (both of them twice) each of the players that "caught me" and they were some of the more profitable sessions I've had lately.

Anyone else employ this strategy on occasion? Thoughts? Likes/dislikes?

I play this strategy only when I have to. The problem for me is it doesn't fit well with my preferred style (where I am pushing people aroudn a lot), AND it requires you to actually make hands, which oh so rarely is the case for me.

I'd much rather have a tight, solid image, and have people fold when I bet.

It's called advertising... and it could be more deep than your example (for example calling with a gutshot straight draw and fold if you miss showing your hand and saying you needed the X (or hit and take his money :D ), to give opponents the idea that you call down with anything, which then sets up slowplay traps.

Overall, if you are going to advertise it should be the OPPOSITE of your style. IF you play a tight solid game, then getting caught in an early bluff can be useful. IF you are loose and aggressive, folding a lot of hands early can be useful as well.

The key is making sure your opponents ar eintelligent enough to pick up on whatever advertising you are doing, to see if it is worth it