BLUFFING POKER PLAYS

Poker is associated with bluffing. Every poker player on the planet think they are great at bluffing. In reality, few are. Many get lucky and this just enforces their false assumptions. Bluffing poker plays, like most aspects of poker comes down to timing and obversation along with many other factors.

Bluffing at Poker can Take You to the Limit

Poker is associated with bluffing. Every poker player on the planet think they are great at bluffing. In reality, few are. Many get lucky and this just enforces their false assumptions. Bluffing poker plays, like most aspects of poker comes down to timing and observation along with many other factors.

Bluffing is a big part of poker. It's all too often glamorized by films. Players use it to deceive other players into thinking they are beat, so they fold. Although it plays a big part in poker, very few people know how to use it effectively and end up cleaned out by someone willing to call.

You will find that most players think that they are masters at this strategy, but in reality very few are. They use it against the wrong players and at the wrong time. Like everything in life, timing is what it's all about.

Top professional poker players use the bluff sparingly but when they do it's for a very good reason. They take into account the type of player they are up against and other factors such as player position, stack size and stage in the game.

So if you are going to become a better poker player you must learn when it is a good time to bluff and when its best to get out of the hand with your chips still in tact.

WHEN TO BLUFF

When there aren't many other players in a pot.
The more people left in the pot, the more chance someone has of having a hand worth calling the bet. So bet when there are only a few players in the pot. It's a common ploy so some players might not believe you and stay in the hand. Take a note of these players, because if they do not fall for it, it can become very costly for you.

Playing against tight players.
Tight players hate taking too many risks and tend to fold easily. Target them. If they refuse to fold, get out. You need to know what hands these players are willing to play.

On the river.
You can often make a successful bluff if you think others are waiting for a flush or straight and the cards don't materialize on the river.

REASONS NOT TO BLUFF

To be a successful bluffer, use it sparingly. It is too big a part in people's game, so it is expected. Take a step back and wait for the right time. You will make as much if not more money catching others out. It only works when you get away with it, so you must use it sparingly. Here are some times when you outright should not bluff.

When others expect you to.
If you think other players are expecting it, don't do it. This situation will arise if you have been caught out a few times and you're seen as a poor bluffer. Just tighten up your play and wait to catch them off guard.

Against a hazardous flop.
If the flop has an Ace, chances are that someone is holding on to one. Many players refuse to fold an ace before the flop. Don't bluff against Aces. You also wouldn't want to bluff against a flop like 6-8-9 suited, even with an A-K because there are too many possible combinations .

Against several of players.
There is a good chance someone will have something juicy and refuse to fold. You are bringing the attention of the table to yourself, while they sneak up for the big kill unnoticed

A SEMI-BLUFF

A semi-bluff is when you have a poor hand, but with a little luck with the community cards can land a monster hand. Say for example you have 4-5 and the flop hits 2-3-J. You might scare off someone with a pair of 3's, someone with a J and low kicker, but if someone is got J-A you won't scare them off too easily. If another Ace appears by the river giving the other player 2 pair, you can really clean up because you have just sneaked in a deceptive straight. One good hit like that can make your night but don't use it too often or you will be seen as the table fish and others will exploit you.

If you are relatively new to the game and insist on bluffing, only use the semi bluff until you develop the skills to recognize good bluffing situations. It will limit your failures in the meantime and can be very useful due to the fact that when the experienced players do recognize your bluff, they are far less likely to notice that you have hit the card you needed, as illustrated in the example above.

To get a real feel for bluffing, you really have to play at a real money table. Play money tables are good for practice, but the truth is when a player loses his chips he can just get a top up. He is more likely to take chances because there is no money up for grabs. You can learn to be a great bluffer. It just takes time, practice and patience. When you play your next game just take your time, study the players and pick the one you are going to practice you skill on, but remember like every other aspect of your game don't use any bluffing tactic habitually or you are heading for a fall.

CATCHING BLUFFS

They have missed on the flop and don't want to lose control .
If they bet pre-flop from a poor position they will generally have high cards, and the flop hits 2-2-6 , they are probably just trying to keep up the pressure and bluff you out. If it is only the two of you, re-raise them and see what they do. At worst they will figure you on a pair of 6's

The pot looks tempting.
If everyone folds on the turn with a big pot, you will always get someone willing to bluff. The pot odds are good so expect it. If you have a hand, it's often worth your while going with it.

They bet on the Flop, checked on the turn .
If there was a flush draw, and it didn't hit, they are probably just buying a free card. You might consider throwing in a raise and see what they do.

Bet on the flop, bet on the turn, checked on the river.
Again they might have been fishing and missed so if the pot is worth winning throw in a raise.