Bluffing In Poker

By Author: Poker Phan
Total Articles: 6
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The showmanship in televised Poker Tournaments, movies, and Vegas television shows has lead to misconceptions about the frequency of bluffing in Texas Hold'em and other Poker Games. New poker players may have the wrong impression and focus on the wrong elements of the game.

A bluff, by definition, is a bet or raise player A makes when their cards have no chance of winning. This can be a valuable weapon when used properly. Gambling is not a science.

The last card is the ace of spades. I have a flush ace high.nobody can beat me.. I go all in..The other person calls and the same card that gave me an ace high flush gave him a full house. This is not considered a bluff. Both players held a strong hand. Both were positive they held the winning hand. (Full player strategy posted at http://www.win247.co.uk)

Limits when Bluffing

Players see more bluffing in no limit poker games and tournaments. This is because players are playing both their opponents and their stack size. Bluffing is dangerous in Texas Hold'em poker where players usually show down the best hand. Bluffs work best when you are heads up against ...
... your opponent.

New players should avoid bluffing in low limit games. There are trends in poker. Amateurs tend to stay if they catch part of the flop, even a low pair. When the stakes are a little higher, bluffing works as long as the pot is small. Another good place to bluff is in short handed games.

There are some times when a bluff can put the player in a positive position. It is possible to steal the blinds with a bluff after everyone else has folded. This can work, as long as a pattern does not emerge. A clever player will notice if you raise every time you are on the button.

This technique may also backfire when playing with an opponent who will defend their blinds at all cost.

Soft Bluff

Soft bluffing can work better than an outright bluff. In the above example, the players may have bluffed and raised early in the game, hoping for the ace. The hands are good. There is hope. It all rides on one or two cards. In the above hand, both players hoped the other would fold.

The danger comes when an opponent starts tracking your habits. They may learn how to tell when you hold a good hand, and fold early. They may learn how to identify your bluff, and call it.

The Rule is, If you get caught - you are bluffing too much.'

Ray M. writes poker tutorials at http://www.win247.co.uk and other websites under the pen name PokerPhan