Bluffing is an important poker strategy that allows a player to win pots without the best hand. There are two types of bluffs: pure bluffs where a player bets with the weakest hand, and semi-bluffs where a player bets on a draw. Successful bluffing requires understanding opponent tendencies and choosing moments where the bluff will be profitable over the long run, even if called occasionally. Semi-bluffing on draws is effective if the draw has around a 35% chance of succeeding.
1. Bluffing is an art form, which is a vital weapon in winning
pots, as you don't have to have the best hand to win.
There are 2 types of bluffs. These are the pure bluff and
the semi bluff.
2. The Pure Bluff, or simply just a "bluff", is where you put
money into the pot (whether that be a bet or a raise/re-
raise), when you have the weakest hand. This is a
powerful tool in your poker play because it allows you to
win the pot, when ordinarily; you would lose as you have
the weakest hand.
3. Bluffing is telling a story that is believable. By making a
bluff, you are telling a story, just like any action you make
at the poker table, whether that be any betting action you
make (check, call, raise, fold) or the way you act (body
language). Bluffing is telling a story that you represent
strength. By bluffing, you are trying to show your
opponents that you have a strong hand.
4. In order to successfully implement a bluff, you need to
know when to bluff. Like anything in poker, you need to
take in the whole context of the game. Not just the short
run but the long run. Aspects of the game such as the
number of opponents at the table, the opponent's
tendencies, playing styles, hand ranges, number of players
to the flop, position, etc. All factors need to be assessed
and a bluff should only be made when taking in all the
factors, that the bluff will be profitable in the long run.
5. Something to note on that last sentence was "profitable in
the long run". In factoring all aspects of the game, the
context, or situation; it might be worth making a bluff
knowing that you will get called. By making this play, it
allows your opponents to see that you will make bluffs to
try and win the pot. In the long run, this may (and often is)
a profitable play as your opponents are likely to think you
play a bit loose and make bluffs so they will more likely
pay you off when you have a strong hand.
6. Semi Bluffing is very similar to the pure bluff. A semi bluff
is when you make a betting action, with hand that is not
the strongest, or you believe is not the strongest, but has
potential to improve into a winning hand. The classic
example of a semi bluff is when you're on a flush draw or
straight draw. If you're on a flush draw after the flop, you
have approximately a 35% chance of hitting a flush on
either the turn or the river. About 20% on the turn and
17% on the river (approx for heads up situation at the
flop) to making the flush. It may be worth firing out a bet
in these situations if you can get the opponent to fold.
Even if they do call, a 35% chance of hitting "the nuts" is
not a too bad situation to be in. You will hit the flush 1/3
of the times and if you make the right bets against the
right opponent, you will get paid off.
7. Bluffing is a very handy strategy to have in your poker
play; however, it is vital to only use it in situations which it
will be profitable in the long run.