There is a lot of false information out there concerning bluffing. Since a large number of new poker players gained an interest in the game by watching it on TV, they have a warped perception of how multiple aspects of poker, including bluffing, should be handled.
Many newer players have been led to believe that anyone can be pushed off their hand and forced to fold as long as enough money and/or pressure is applied, but following this train of thought will, in most cases, just result in an empty bankroll.
Bluffing is an important aspect of the game, and it can be relatively simple to do, but you need to understand the ingredients to building a believable bluff.
The Importance Of Telling A Convincing Story
The main reason why so many bluffs fail is that they do not tell a convincing story. You can’t just make a random play for the pot at any given time and expect it to work, as the only way you will win the hand is if your opponent has absolutely nothing and was going to fold to any bet anyway.
In order for a bluff to work, your opponent has to believe that you are holding a good hand, and experienced players that have paid attention to your betting patterns and are fairly certain they know your general level of skill will have no problem figuring out when you are making a desperate bluff as a last ditch effort to steal a pot.
Essentially, a bluff needs to convey strength, as strength and confidence in your cards is what will make your opponent nervous and willing to fold their hand.
Table Perception Will Dictate Bluffing Success
Players that are classified as weak/conservative (meaning they play very few pots and don’t do a lot of betting/raising) have a hard time successfully pulling off bluffs because the other players don’t perceive them as a consistent threat at the table.
On the other hand, those that play strong and aggressive with their hands and win a lot of pots can bluff more since it is much easier for their opponent to believe that they are representing a good hand rather than a bluff.
Don’t Underestimate The Bet Size When Bluffing
One important aspect of bluffing that a lot of players ignore is the size of the bet needed for the bluff to potentially work. If there is $300 in the pot and you bluff just $25, you are going to get called by anyone that has at least one pair, as you did not make it expensive enough to force them out of the hand.
The goal of a bluff is to force the other person to doubt their hand strength and decide whether or not they want to invest any more chips in their hand. Bluffing $25 makes it an “instant call” decision, while a $150 to $200 or more bet will cause concern to those holding medium and even strong hands.
Maintain a confident image at the table and focus on the size of your bets and you will have a considerably better success rate with your future bluffs.
Key Points
• Bluffs should force your opponent to doubt their own hand
• Make convincing bluffs
• Focus on bet sizes
Chris
- Chris Laquinta is a magazine editor, content specialist and poker fanatic with 10+ years writing experience and over 1,500 published articles. Chris is a naitive of Southern California, where he spent his entire life learning gaming concepts and theories from relatives that had been former professional gamblers. He currently resides in Torrance, CA where he works as a professional content writer and part-time SNG professional.
