Bluffing for Beginners
For many poker beginners, the bluff is the most exciting move in the game. The idea not only of beating a worthy opponent but of beating them with nothing has obvious appeal. That said, bluffing is truly an art, as anyone that's watched the high stakes games and seen a good bluff executed can contest. Here are some tips to help you properly execute the all-important bluff.
1. Use Your Position Wisely
Until you're better at reading your opponents' bets, the best and easiest time to try a bluff is when you're sitting in a late position and the first round of betting is weak. When your first bet causes all other players to fold, it's called “stealing the blinds.” Stealing the blinds is the bread and butter of the bluff.
Bluffing from an early position makes no sense at all, since several of your opponents could very well have worthy hands. In this scenario, you'll not only get called, there's a good chance they'll re-raise, in which case you either have to fold and look foolish or take a hit and hope you get a lucky draw on the flop.
2. Commit
Once you've engaged your bluff, you have to follow through, or your opponents will test all your future bets, even when you're not bluffing. Remember that every bet tells a story, so a big bet pre-flop needs to be followed by an equal bet after the flop unless you suspect another player has a hand they won't surrender. Which brings us to...
3. Pay Attention to the Cards
While you don't want to call your own bluff by folding prematurely, if the flop is full of ominous outs – like three cards of the same suit, three kickers or three consecutive cards – and one of your opponents is quick to bet big, then run down the clock so it looks like you're considering your hand, and fold. On the other hand, if the flop looks good but doesn't inspire any bets from your opponents, then another big bet from you reinforces your earlier bluff and should shake off any stragglers.
4. Muck
If one of your opponents hangs on through the showdown, then by all means muck. You should never reveal a failed bluff.
5. The Safest Bluff
The safest bluff is only half a bluff. A semi-bluff is when a player with a middling hand makes a big bet because they suspect the rest of the table also has middling or weaker hands. The semi-bluff is a smart move because not only do you have the potential of taking a small pot early, you also have the possibility of drawing well and taking a larger pot later in the hand.
6. The Ultimate Bluff
By far the most dramatic bluff you can use is an all in with nothing. This is the ultimate commitment to your ploy, but it's not a move you should make without serious consideration. Pros that are too far in with a bluff to fold will often go all-in in a last ditch effort to take the pot, but this move walks a fine line between confident and desperate; go all in at the wrong moment, and you'll look the latter and get trapped.
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