Poker Strategy: How to Get the Most out of Bluffing

I’m sure you know by now that effective bluffing is one of the major factors in successful poker play. Some poker players, especially the ones new to the game, love to do it frequently and often and don’t know what the heck they’re doing. Bluffing is an art; like most arts, you get better at it over time. Most of your deception perfection will come with tons of practice, but here are some tips that will help you to understand the fine art of bluffing.  

One of the most critical factors to bluffing effectively is to overcome the fear and emotional side when it comes to the risk involved and think about it in a logical way. Once you control your nerves and put on that perfect poker face, chances are no one will be the wiser when you decide it is the right moment to bluff. A clear mind is key to being a great bluffer, so don’t drink alcohol or play while on tilt. Let whatever is affecting you leave your system before hitting the felt or online tables.

Position is important when choosing the right time to bluff.  When you are in late position and everyone else checks, you have the perfect opportunity to bluff because the week players will fold and your competition will dwindle. The bluff needs to be persistent to be effective; it will pay off. You will need to stay in for a couple of betting rounds on this one. Before taking any chances on this type of bluff, make sure you know who you’re up against and don’t stay in if the board gets messy.

Say you have just taken a pot from a player and they congratulate you by saying “well played” or “nice hand,” you have now put a little fear in that player and they most likely respect you as being a good player. So play the bluff exactly like you did when you won and the opposition most likely will fold, thinking that you are going to get them again. This may not work if the player you are up against is on tilt so beware of this. Players on tilt may not have the sense to fold under pressure. They could be more bent on avenging their loss than playing logically.

When you bluff is just as important as how you bluff. Never bluff if you’re up against a player in a pot who is never one to fold. Second, if a player has so much into a pot that your raise or bet won’t make him fold, this is a bad time to try and fake a hand. And lastly, never bluff when there are many players left in the hand.

Save your bluff for when most everyone checks or folds and the board or cards you are showing make it possible for you to represent a strong hand. When up against only one other player, it is also a great opportunity. If you’ve read other player’s tells and realize that they are most likely going to fold under any pressure that is the perfect table to get in a nice bluff.

Of course these tactics differ from time to time depending on the type of poker variation played. Tournaments, limit or no-limit hold’em, cash games and sit n gos will all play a role on how and when to bluff. For instance, if in a tournament with hundreds of other players, you should not bluff in the beginning because the odds are against you and tons of players will be playing aggressively making it difficult to do. Instead, play it safe until the more aggressive players have busted out. In games with fewer opponents, it is easier to get a read on your opposition and knowing when to bluff becomes a lot easier and less risky.

There are many more ways to bluff; these are just a fraction of my favorite ones. The most important way to learn successful techniques is to get out there and do it. The more you play poker, the better you will get at deceiving your opponents. Don’t be discouraged or embarrassed if you get caught. Instead, learn from your mistakes and improve your game. When it comes to bluffing we can refer to what Abraham Lincoln once said, “You can fool some of the people all the time, and all of the people some of the time, but you cannot fool all of the people all the time.”