Bluffing is the art of making other players believe you have a better hand than you really have. If used correctly bluffing can help you enhance your profits from poker and win big. Here are ten tips to help you bluff successfully.
Tip 1: Bluff when “someone” might have made a good hand. An example is when the third of a suit hits the board. “Someone” might have a flush. If you bet as if you have the flush, the other players may believe you.
Tip 2: Bluff if you are in a pot with a player that is looking for a reason to fold. By betting, big and making them think you have something they can’t match; you can remove them from the game.
Tip 3: Pay attention to other players – the more you know about your opponent’s habits the better. If a player is a novice, they may bluff too frequently making them easy prey. However, it’s the more experienced players you need to watch.
Tip 4: If players have seen you bluffing recently, they will register it. If you try to bluff again too soon then someone is likely to call you. Of course, this can be used to your advantage. If you find yourself with a good hand after being caught bluffing, odds are players will call your bets.
Tip 5: Bluff tight tables only. As a rule, bluffs have a better chance of working at tight tables rather than loose tables, unless all the “loose players” have already folded.
Tip 6: Bluff high limit tables only. In low limit games, there’s really no advantage in bluffing. When betting only small amounts, you can bet that the majority of the time someone will call your bluff. High limits, and especially no limit games, are ideal for successful bluffing.
Tip 7: Bluff from late position only. If everyone is checking, calling, or folding in front of you, it’s a good time to try to get the pot. It’s not a good idea to bluff from early position, because you have no idea of other player’s hands.
Tip 8: Don’t bluff too often, and try to adopt a pattern other players will find difficult to spot. If you bet with a pattern, they’re sure to spot it. A good bluffing strategy will keep them guessing.
Tip 9: Be careful when bluffing bad players, as they may not know when they are beaten! Even though you may present yourself as having a stronger hand, they simply may not care or not even notice, as they have not perfected a strategy of their own.
Tip 10: Some bluffing situations are ‘typical’, and you need to be able to use them to your advantage. Good players however, may spot this, note the play and use it against you. Here is a typical situation where bluffing can be effective:
You are in the late position pre-flop and after you, there are just two players left. Your cards are not indicating a good hand, but everyone before you have folded. This is an ideal time to bluff and bet big. The remaining players will probably think that you have a big hand and fold.
Bluffing Is an Essential Strategy for All Poker Players
Bluffing is not a science it’s an art. The 10 tips above however, will help you perfect a bluffing strategy that will allow you to bluff your way to bigger profits.
