Poker remains one of the most popular casino games and is arguably the best form of card game in both brick-and-mortar venues and online casinos.
While it may have been overtaken online due to the popularity increase of slot sites and roulette sites, poker is still exceptionally popular and there remains a steady flow of people looking to take up the game or improve their skills.
And when talking about poker skills, one particular element often pops up: bluffing.
Bluffing is a core element of poker strategy, used to deceive opponents into folding better hands, and can be an invaluable tool in helping to win hands.
It is an essential skill, but it requires careful timing and understanding to pull it off effectively.
This guide will explain to players what bluffing is, how to bluff in poker and when to avoid bluffing, as well as how to read your opponents.
What is bluffing in poker?
Bluffing is simply the name given to the act of trying to deceive your opponent into believing you have a stronger hand than you actually do, in order that they might fold the hand and you would then win the pot.
Bluffing is a key aspect of poker and a vitally important part of the mental aspect of the game. Players use it as psychological tool, placing a bet to make it look like they are confident in the strength of their hand even if it is not ‘good’.
Types of bluffs in poker
There are several different types of poker bluff, with each one differing slightly.
Pure bluff: This is a bluff that is carried out with the player having no chance of winning the hand if they’re called (for example, if they were betting big with a weak hand).
Semi-bluff: This is bluffing with a hand that has the potential to improve (for example, if drawing hands that could become strong on future streets).
Continuation bluff: Bluffing after you’ve been the pre-flop aggressor, representing a strong hand on the flop even if you missed.
Opportunistic bluff: This is simply bluffing when an opponent shows weakness or fails to capitalise on a situation.
When to bluff
Some situations are more favourable for bluffing than others. Four main factors influence such situations, and we have discussed them below.
Opponent type: Bluffing works better against certain opponents and less effectively against others. It can work better against tight-aggressive players, as they only tend to play when they themselves have stronger hands.
Board texture: Bluffing on high-card tables is often more effective than on “dry” boards with few potential hands.
Position: Bluffing from a late position, where you have more information on your opponents’ cards and situation, is usually more successful than bluffing from an early position.
Betting patterns: Spot opportunities to bluff when opponents show signs of timidity or weakness.
Bluffing in different poker variants
Bluffing strategies differ depending on the poker variant. Below, we’ve provided some detail on bluffing in the three most common variations, so that you get an idea of how to bluff well in poker.
Texas Hold’em: This is the most popular form of poker, and when playing it can pay to focus on bluffing during the turn, when opponents are more likely to fold.
Omaha: Bluffing is less common in Omaha because there are more possible strong hands. Bluffing is more of a risk in this situation, though the tactic can suit aggressive bluffers.
Seven-Card Stud: Bluffing tends to rely more on reading exposed cards and the perceived strength of your hand in Seven-Card Stud. You need to be able to read the board well, and understand the types of player your opponents are. In addition, avoid making bluffs without good reason.
How to bluff successfully
Below, we have some practical advice on how to bluff in poker:
Consistency: Your bluff should be convincing depending on the situation. For example, if you bet aggressively pre-flop, continue to present strength on later hands. Do not suddenly switch up and bet less, as it can be an indicator that you regret your previous bets.
Image: Bluffing is more effective if your opponents view you as a tight, conservative player, as they will begin to realise that you only bother betting when your hand is strong.
If you bluff too often, your bluffs lose credibility – remember that other players will be tracking your betting trends.
Bet size: Bluffing with appropriate bet sizing is crucial. A well-timed small bet can force folds just as effectively as a large bet, depending on the situation.
Choose your spots wisely: Don’t bluff too frequently. Select specific, high-potential situations where your opponents are likely to fold.
When not to bluff
Something that is just as important as remembering how to bluff at poker is remembering when to bluff. There are various common mistakes that players make when bluffing, so here’s how to avoid them.
Bluffing too often: Bluffing too frequently makes you a predictable player and undervalues your bluffs. In addition, opponents will start calling your bluffs.
Bluffing against the wrong opponents: Avoid bluffing against players who are more likely to call any bet. Remember to study how your opponents bet and call.
Bluffing out of position: Bluffing from an early position without enough information on your opponents’ hands is risky.
Overvaluing the bluff: Many beginners believe bluffing is required to win at poker, but winning consistently involves a balance of value betting and selective bluffing.
Reading your opponents
Though there is no set formula for how to read a bluff in poker, observing your opponents can help you find the right moments to bluff. Look for the following key factors:
Player tells: In live poker, be sure to watch for physical or behavioral cues that indicate weakness or strength (the ability to do this is not always available on casino apps, of course).
Betting patterns: Where possible, identify betting behaviours that signal an opportunity to bluff. For example, does your opponent fold to aggression frequently?
Online bluffing: Bluffs are harder to read on poker sites. Focus on timing tells and bet sizing patterns, since physical cues are absent.
Semi-bluffing: A more advanced bluffing strategy
Another potentially useful strategy is semi-bluffing. This is when players bet with a hand that isn’t strong now, but has the potential to improve with the draw. An example would be a flush or straight draw.
Semi-bluffing has dual benefits: you might win the pot outright if your opponent folds, or you could improve to a winning hand eventually. It is worth memorising the sort of hands that work best in a semi-bluffing strategy, and remembering to check with any hand that has showdown value.
Responsible gambling
Remember to gamble responsibly when you engage with gambling sites. Play within your limits and never wager more than you can afford to lose. Gambling, and by extension poker, is a form of entertainment, not a way to make money.
If you need to, you can use a range of safer gambling tools – like deposit limits, time-outs and self-exclusion – to limit your spending.
If you need to seek help for a gambling-related issue, the following organisations can provide information and support:
Summary: How to bluff
Remember, although bluffing is a key part of poker strategy, it can take a long time to ‘master’. Bluffing requires practice, patience and discipline.
Try to apply what you’ve learned in practice games and gradually integrate bluffing into your overall online poker strategy, while being careful to avoid common beginner bluffing mistakes such as bluffing too often or when out of position.
In terms of how to bluff in poker, remember to take into account opponent type, board texture, position and opponent betting patterns, and evaluate the strength of your hand before choosing to bluff with a small or larger bet.
There is no set criteria for bluffing in poker, but remember to be consistent and to cultivate an image as a player. In addition, choose your spots wisely.
Finally, remember to gamble responsibly.
How to bluff FAQs
What is bluffing in poker?
Put simply, bluffing is the name given to the act of trying to deceive your opponent into believing you have a stronger hand than you actually do, in order that they might fold the hand and you would then win the pot.
What are the types of bluff in poker?
There are four main types of bluff in poker: the pure bluff, the semi-bluff, the continuation bluff and the opportunistic bluff. Each one differs slightly from the other, and we have provided a more comprehensive breakdown above in the second section of the guide, as well as other poker bluffing tips.
Which poker games are better for bluffing?
Texas Hold’em is the best poker game for bluffing, and it can pay to focus on bluffing during the turn, when opponents are more likely to fold. Bluffing is less common in Omaha since there are more possible strong hands, and it is a more complicated affair in Seven-Card Stud.
How can you read opponents online?
In online poker, the usual physical cues that you would use to read opponents are obviously absent. Instead, focus on timing tells and the patterns of their bet sizing to get an idea on their behaviour and potential strategy.
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