Bluffing in Poker

Poker players that with whom success is a habit learn how to use a bluff that is well- timed. Bluffing is, conceivably, the most discussed poker strategy, but it is never used as frequently as many believe. Nevertheless, to exclude bluffing from the game of poker would make the game highly mind-numbing. If you are the no-bluffing kind, you become clearly too predictable and will miss chance to capitalize on your winnings and reduce the number of time you win at all. You bluff when there is no visible chance of your winning the pot or at times that you want to lift the pot before all the cards have been dealt. On the other hand, in cash poker game, you can analyze whether the bluff will be profitable or not. In order to know this, you just compare odds of making a winning bluff with the size of the bet needed and the amount in the pot. This is an important ability to develop in order to figure out how likely it is that opponents will fold.

You may like to consider some of the following factors whether to bluff or not:

Type of opponent:

It is unwise to bluff weak opponents who simply call any wager. Such players are called 'calling stations'. This is a common mistake so you want to be assured the other player is skilled enough to know when to fold their hand.

Number of opponents:

Commonly, it is not a good idea to bluff against three or more other players, principally when playing limit poker. A bluff will be more apt to work when used against a single player. The reason is not the fact that there is only one other opponent but because the pot is significantly smaller, making it less pleasing to take chances.

Your table image:-

If you have somehow developed a table image of being a loose player instead of a tight one, a bluff is much less prone to be successful. If you have bluffed recently and been caught, other players would be much more liable to call your wager. Nonetheless, reverse psychology can sometimes benefit in these situations because when a good player spots you bluffing, if he regards you as a good player too, he could think you would not try to bluff him again.