Poker Bluffing - Ten Winning Tips
Poker Bluffing - Ten Winning Tips
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.