Poker Special Moves: Bluffing

What is bluffing?

Bluffing is pretending to have a solid hand in poker. The idea is that if you act as though you have an unbeatable hand, other players will quit to avoid having to bet more money, so you are left with what is already in the pot.

How is bluffing done?

A bluff is usually made with forceful betting, raising and re-raising. A poker player who bluffs is trying to scare their opponent(s) into folding, hence the aggression.

If your bluff works, other players will fold to save their chips. If your bluff does not work, someone will call your bets and the game will end in a showdown. Then your bluff will be exposed.

Bluffing is best done by tight players who rarely bluff in the first place, and who play only good hands most of the time. Why? Because if you always bet in proportion to the value of your hand, others will see you as a "truthful" player whose acts are credible. If you bluff, they will probably believe it. But if you are a maniac who bets/raises with even the most unplayable hands, or worse, if you have been caught bluffing before, it's difficult for you to bluff. You might as well expect Pinocchio to pass a lie-detector test.

When is it good and not good to bluff?

Timing and selectiveness are the keys to bluffing. Consider the board, who is playing and how many, and how you are perceived.

You can bluff if:

 The board is a rainbow, disjointed and you sense that everyone has missed their hand.  The other players have limped along, checking and calling.  You're playing against a few players.  You're playing against tight players who CAN be bluffed.  You rarely play a hand, let alone bluff.  You choose your target well - someone whose style you really know.  You can afford o lose the money if your bluff fails.

You mustn't bluff if:

 The board is well-connected (suited, sequenced, paired, etc.). If someone is drawing a monster, they won't be scared by your bluff.  You're up against many players. Don't be too clever. You can't fool everyone no matter how good you think you are!  You're up against one or more calling station(s).  You cannot control or hide your emotions well.  You just want to bluff for its own sake.

What is semi-bluffing?

This refers to bluffing with a "drawing hand." Here, you do not bluff with a weak hand as in pure bluffing. Rather, you are close to making a hand (full house, straight, etc.) and act as if you already have it. If the others buy your bluff, you win. If they don't buy it, you can still win if you make your hand as more community cards are dealt. Obviously, a semi-bluff is safer to do than a full bluff.