To Bluff Or Not To Bluff? That Is The Question by John Woods

Bluffing is the fine art of deceiving your fellow poker players into thinking you have a better hand that you have. The trick is knowing when to bluff.

When to bluff

When you are one of the last in the round of betting such as the dealer and everyone has checked. This will force a few out but maybe not all.

The flop is a poor one with no high cards or obvious possible flushes or straights. If you bluff now anyone hoping the flop might bring something to help their suited or consecutive hole cards make a flush or straight will think you have a high pair in the hole. As the flop is no use to them they should fold. The danger is if someone re-raises or stays in is that they really do have a high pair in the hole.

There are only a few players in the pot, its easier to bluff a few that a lot.

Your fellow players are tight players(only bet when they have a hand) if they don't have a hand either they will stick to their normal game and fold.

You just won a strong hand. The other players will have your recent victory fresh in their mind and not be too keen to lose to you again so fold.

You must be careful when bluffing though, if someone stays in or re-raises you it might be best to fold, they could have a hand.

When not to bluff

Do not bluff if you have a lot of opponents, chances are at least one of them has a hand that can beat you.

Do not bluff if there are a lot of bad players on the table that will play and bet on every hand. Your bluff will not work on them and they are likely to make some kind of hand to beat you by staying in to the end.

Do not bluff if the flop has high cards in or possible straights and flushes.

And finally do not bluff if you just got caught bluffing, they will guess you might be at it again.

About The Author

This article was written by John Woods of http://www.TexasHoldemStrategy.co.uk

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