Poker Strategy - Bluffing
If you are fairly new to poker, then you should learn many more things about the game before you start to use bluffing as part of your strategy.
Whilst bluffing is certainly a big big part of the game, it should only be used when all the other aspects of the game are completely natural to you. Always remember that you are quite likely to be playing opponents with greater experience an skill, and this is particularly the case with bluffing. Having got that off our chests; and now that you are ready to start to use bluffing; here are a few tips on how to go about it.
First of all you must have a bluff strategy. The worst thing in the world that you can do is to bluff just when you feel like it. This sort of bluffing is incredibly easy to spot, and it will indicate to the other players that they are playing with a clown and will take you to the cleaners.
It is fine that the other players realise that you are using bluffing as part of your game, but if they are unable to tell when or why then they will treat you with a lot more respect and your combination of bluff with proper play will win more hands.
Knowing when to bluff is absolutely key. There is no point in bluffing if your opponent has absolutely no intention of folding no matter what. Before you bluff you need to read your opponent carefully and determine his or her level of confidence regarding their hand. With an average player this is generally not too difficult. There is a paradox that you should be aware of. Sometimes a novice player will just bluff because he or she has no real idea about how good his or her hands are. If they don’t know then it is harder for you to assess the strength. Once you are satisfied that there is a high probability that your opponent will fold, then this is the time to bluff. A semi-bluff should be reserved for the times when you have a high probability of getting the card you need to make your hand.
Only bluff with care and when the situation is right and do not make random bluffs.