Bluffing in Poker - When to Bluff

Bluffing in Poker

Bluffing in poker is an act of deception intended to make your opponents think you have the strongest hand at the table. A poker player who bluffs wants to get all other players to fold, since it is impossible or at least unlikely they would win at a showdown.

Players can bluff "stone cold", that is with a hand that has no connection with the board at all; or they can semi-bluff with a drawing hand, which can still have a chance of winning in case the bluff fails.

Here are some situations when it is common to bluff in poker. Do not bluff every time these occur, but when they do, it can be a good idea to bluff.

Bluff in poker when playing at a tight table.

This is the same as saying "Bluff against good players." Never try to bluff a bad or inexperienced poker player. They are not schooled enough in the ways of the game to know what your bluffing entails. But when you are up against tight poker players, bluffing can work more effectively.

Bluff in poker from late table position when everybody has checked to you.

This is one of the advantages of playing from late position. When you have seen everyone else act first, you can assess who missed their hands and who missed. Then you can decide whether it's a good bluff or not. Beware though: everyone expects a raise from the button. So don't bluff with a dead hand just because you're in late or last position.

Bluff in poker when there are few players left in the pot.

It is much easier to fool a couple of persons than a crowd. Don't waste your bluffing talents on a full table. The chances are out of half a dozen players, someone will want to call your bluff if only to keep the bluffing player honest.

Bluff in poker on the river when you have a drawing hand.

If it seems that other players have merely limped to the river with weak hands, and you have a decent drawing hand, it is a good move to bluff. Someone with a better hand than yours might just fold, leaving fewer hands for you to contend with at the showdown.

Bluff in poker when you were aggressive pre-flop.

When you act as if you were strong from the start, it is easier to bluff on the turn or river. The key is to establish aggression so as to intimidate other players. If you raised preflop and did it again on the turn, it seems like a natural continuation, not a bluff.

Bluff in poker when you have established a tight, aggressive table image.

When you have a solid table image, it is much easier to bluff. A loose player who calls and raises all the time won't be "respected." To be good at bluffing in poker, you need to make your acts respectable. When you know you are feared by the other players, you can bluff with some confidence.

Bluff in poker when there is a pair on the flop.

Especially good if it is a low pair like 77. If it is a low pair, the chances are someone has either folded that hand or it is still undealt. Look at the players who have folded and see how they react to the flop. If you can be sure no one else got a three of a kind, you can act as if you have it.

Bluff in poker when the board is a low rainbow.

2-5-7 off suit would see a lot of hands folding. On a board like this, it is easier to bluff like you got a quad of 2's there. Study other players first, especially if you have position over them, and then make your move.