Bluffing
in Poker
Bluffing
is one part of poker that truly separates the seasoned
pro from the inexperienced novice. Anyone can bluff,
but knowing when a bluff is your best play can be the
difference between a winning and losing session. Below
are a few basic rules to bluffing in poker. By
applying one or more of these principles you greatly
increase your odds of a successful poker bluff.
1.
Sometimes a busted bluff is not a bad thing.
You don’t have to win every bluff to make it
worthwhile. Think of bluffing as risk vs. reward. In
most cases, your risk in a bluff is one bet to win
several. So a single successful bluff makes up for 1
or 2 unsuccessful attempts.
Even when you do get caught, it may get you a
few extra callers the next time you really do have a
strong hand.
2.
Be aware of how many people have to fold.
If you are thinking of bluffing with 4 or more people
still in the hand, think again. Unless you’re trying
to scare out a few players and protect your hand, you
should limit the majority of your bluffs to hands
involving 3 or fewer players. You may be able to drive
out one or two. Any more than that and you’ll
usually get an “I’ll keep you honest call” which
are words you never want to hear when bluffing.
3.
Know whom you can and can not bluff at the table.
You should have a good idea of the types of players
you’re up against before attempting to bluff. Keep
your bluffs aimed at mediocre players. If they are
horrible they’ll call no matter what. If they are
great, they are more likely to call for future
reference (to get a read on how you play).
4.
Be sure you’re in a position to bluff. Holdem is a game of position. If your opponent has
already checked, you are in a much better position to
bluff. Keep in mind to watch out for a trap or
re-raise if a strong player checks to you. There’s
nothing worse than trying to bluff and getting
check-raised. Once again, remember rule number 3.
5.
A semi-bluff is always better then a total bluff.
Consider bluffing with a draw or mediocre hand. That
way, if your bluff does not drive out your opponent
you still have a chance to make your hand and win the
pot. Most of your bluffs should not be true bluffs,
but semi-bluffs.
Lastly
and most importantly, use bluffing sparingly and only
when the situation warrants. No matter how loose or
tight the game, if you try to bluff to often you will
never claim another free pot again. People who over
bluff get calls they normally wouldn’t. This is fine
if you have the best hand, but in cases when you’re
just barley ahead or someone is on a draw, being
labeled a frequent bluffer will just give other
players an excuse to call and draw out on hands they
would normally lay down.
Interested in reading more poker strategy articles?
ThePokerSource recommends the following poker strategy reads:
The Theorem of Poker
Online Poker Tells
Avoid Going on Tilt
Playing Short Handed
Player Profiles
The Worst Hand in Poker
Poker by Numbers
Poker Position
Pocket Pairs
Slow Playing
Common Holdem Mistakes
Basic Betting Strategy
Omaha Poker Strategy
Changing Pace in Poker
Big Suited Connectors
Unsuited Connectors
Limits in No Limit Holdem
Playing Past the Flop
Free Cards
