♠ Bluffing — When, Why & How
A good bluff tells a believable story. Learn when a bluff makes sense, which opponents to target and when it's better to shut it down.
Bluff With a Reason
Bluffing is not simply betting when you don't have a strong hand. A successful bluff attempts to make an opponent fold a better hand.
Before bluffing, ask yourself: What better hands am I realistically trying to make fold?
If you can't answer that question, your bet may simply be giving chips away.
Never bluff just because you think you are supposed to. Bluff because the opponent, board and betting story give the bluff a realistic chance to work.
Some Players Are Much Easier to Bluff
Bluffs work best against opponents who are capable of folding.
Tight Players
Players who can release medium-strength hands may give your bluffs a realistic chance of succeeding.
Calling Stations
If an opponent hates folding, stop trying to force the fold. Instead, value bet your strong hands.
Don't bluff players who came to the table looking for reasons to call you.
Bluffing Is Easier With Information
Position allows you to see what your opponent does before making your decision.
When an opponent checks to you, that additional information can create opportunities to represent strength.
Bluffing out of position is more difficult because you are acting with less information and may face additional pressure later in the hand.
Your Actions Need to Make Sense
A strong bluff is consistent with the way you would reasonably play a strong hand.
Think about the entire hand: pre-flop action, flop, turn and river.
If your river bet suddenly represents a hand that doesn't fit anything you did earlier, an observant opponent may recognize the inconsistency.
Give Yourself Another Way to Win
Some of the best bluffing opportunities occur when you currently have a weak hand but can improve to a strong one.
Flush draws and straight draws can make effective semi-bluffs because you may win immediately when your opponent folds — or improve to the best hand when called.
A semi-bluff gives you two ways to win: your opponent can fold now, or you can make your hand later.
Don't Turn One Bluff Into Three Bad Bets
One of the most expensive poker mistakes is continuing a bluff after the situation has clearly changed.
If an opponent keeps calling, the board becomes unfavorable or your story no longer makes sense, shutting the bluff down can save a significant number of chips.
Folding or checking after a failed bluff attempt isn't weakness. It's discipline.
Good Bluffs Are Selective
You don't need to bluff constantly to be difficult to play against.
Choose the right opponent, the right board, the right position and the right story.
Before bluffing ask: “What better hand am I trying to make fold — and does this opponent actually fold it?”
