How and when to bluff:
Bluffing is simply what a player does when they try to win a
pot with what they think is the worst hand by making your opponent fold. You
have to convince them that your hand is better than theirs.
This is not easily done. Knowing how to bluff is just as
important as knowing who and when to bluff. All opponents can be bluffed to a
certain extent but some can be bluffed off better hands more than others.
Tighter players are generally easier to bluff off hands than more aggressive
ones. Small raises at the end can push a tight player off a pot. When first
joining a table one should get to know their opponents first before beginning
to bluff. Find out who the tight players are and who the loose players are. Do
not attempt to bluff a loose player. The way to make money off them is to let
them bluff you. Fake bluffing should be used against them, i.e. make it look
like your bluffing when you really have an amazing hand.
Unfortunately bluffing is not something someone can be
taught to do. They must learn for themselves what works and what doesn’t. Such
as you must learn when to give up on a bluff when it has become clear your
opponent is not getting away from the hand. Most players cannot stop once they
have committed a lot of money to the pot and so they carry on with their bluff
attempt. Sometimes it is simply best to swallow your pride, admit defeat and
get out of the hand while you’ve still got some money and dignity left.
Once you’ve pulled off your first great bluff you probably
feel like showing the whole table. This is not recommended. If you show your
opponents your bluff they could notice when you do it next. It also shows disrespect
to the player your bluffing and will make them angry with you and probably make
them try and bluff you next time. Keep your secrets to yourself as that is the
way to make money.