A Beginner's Guide to Bluff in Poker

You finally land the perfect poker table and open a hand. Your opponent then raises a bet, and money is thrown down. Big money, to be precise! While this may seem too good to be true, you may begin to ask yourself if your opponent is bluffing. Well bluffing in poker is often a risky strategy that can pay out big time if practised well. So, below is a guide to help you bluff in poker and increase your odds of winning a hand.

What is bluffing in poker?

Whether you're playing poker in an online casino or a land-based setting, you'll always be on the lookout to increase your odds. Essentially, bluffing is any kind of deception a poker player engages in to make them win. This can be making a strong hand look weak or a soft hand look strong. Bluffing's main objective is to introduce a fold into gameplay by the player holding the better hand.

With that said, there are two main types of poker bluff. They include:

• Pure bluff – Sometimes called a stone-cold bluff, a pure bluff is a raise or a bet that involves an inferior hand. In most cases, the hand has little or zero chances of improving. Players who practise this type of poker bluff believe that they can only win if all other players fold. You definitely need a convincing poker face to do that!
• Semi bluff – In a semi-bluff, you stand better chances of winning whenever you get a call. This bluff is best in games with several betting rounds where the inferior hand can improve in the subsequent round. Generally, a player with a semi-bluff can grab the pot only if all opponents fold immediately. Someone mentioned quick bluffs – This is arguably the most popular type of bluffing in poker. Here, nobody on the table has a significant investment in the pot. Therefore, the chances are that most punters will fold whenever a big bet arrives. With a quick bluff, you can grab the prize.

How to effectively bluff in poker

First of all, you need to choose the perfect moment to bluff. It's suicidal to bluff during the early stages of the game when plenty of action is ongoing. The excellent time to bluff is when you're in a late position because this is when little action takes place. Also, only bluff when it's necessary, and you're sure your opponent can fold.

For new players, never bluff when you know the stakes are too high. While it may seem tempting to use this trick to grab that big pot, it's always more effective to bluff whenever the stakes are lower. In this scenario, your opponent is more likely to fold. Also, you won't lose a whole lot when your bluff is called. In short, smaller wagers can be more convincing to your opponents.

Another critical but hugely underrated factor is your table image. Whether you're playing poker, blackjack, baccarat, or any other table game, your table image is critical. That's because your bluffing is more or less likely to succeed by the way other people on the table perceive your looks. So, bluff only when you're sure that your game is tight and aggressive, as other players are more likely to believe your bluff.

Conclusion

Most punters don't know how to effectively bluff in poker. To be a master bluffer, you must convince other players about your playing skills first. Also, only perform this trick when you deem it necessary. But above all, bluff in regulated online casinos as they are likely to be more lenient to bluffing. Remember, bluffing in poker doesn't guarantee success, just like any other gambling strategy.