Bluffing

Many poker players consider bluffing an art - And rightly so, for bluffing - if done skillfully - cannot be mastered with a formula.  Yet, just like any artist who receives formal training, only after knowing the rules and formulas can one begin breaking them to create a unique style worthy of being called brilliant.  And indeed the best bluffing is on par with being called brilliant.  Bluffing, however, is often overused, especially by beginning players, who think that other players couldn't possibly think one could be so bold as to put in their entire bankroll while holding a pair or two's.

The idea of bluffing is to get other players to believe you are holding a good hand, when in reality you are not. (Not the other way around) There is essentially one action you can take to imply you have a good hand, and that is raising and betting, which speak for themselves, in the sense that they show you are confident about your hand.  The key to skillful bluffing then, is to make your moves at the appropriate times, and to not do so every time, so that other players do not tap you with a pattern and catch on to your technique, which is probably the same technique as other skillful bluffers!  Just how you gauge when and when not to bluff should be largely dependent on how you feel other players are perceiving you.  If you feel that you have developed a certain level of respect after a few wins, you will surely have more clout when bluffing on a low-ranking hand.

Some times when bluffing goes over well (more so than other situations at the poker table) are:

  When you are playing against non-aggressive players (be careful not to judge them too quickly)

  When there are relatively few players at the table (It is more difficult to get a bluff past ten players)

  On the river (for this is the time when most tight players will fold with a low hand)

  When you are in the last seating position and all players checked in the betting round (buying bet)

  When sitting on the button, prior to the flop, and tight players have already folded

  When a pair is sitting on the table, preferably an eight or less, which appears that you have a trip

 

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