If you understand the basics of poker game, you will
definitely realize that poker without bluffing is not poker. Oh, yes without
bluffing, poker will not be poker. Bluffing is the ultimate deception that
enables you to take down the huge pot that your challenger should have won. It
simply makes the game interesting and continues for a longer time. You can
never enjoy or be a good poker player without mastering the art of bluffing.
The reason behind this is that bluffing plays a greater role in distinguishing
poker from other card games. To become a Talented No-Limit Hold’em player all
you need is to develop your bluffing ability through experience and continuous practice.
Great players know that for one to win the pot, it does not only require a good
hand, but it also requires the ability and knowledge to use the bluff to turn
up the heat.
Tips to a successful
bluff in poker
As stated before, bluffing is usually used to win a pot that
would not have been taken without the bluff. Therefore, there is need to have a
bluffing strategy for it to be used properly in an effort to win the pots.
Bluff for fun: As
a novice player, you might end up having difficulties in bluffing, but for a No-Limit
Hold’em will have, so much fun since it is something that he or she is used to
and therefore there is no doubt that he is having more fun. However, as you
gain much confidence you will find yourself bluffing out of control, thus a
major reason for learning and possessing proper bluffing strategies. The
cardinal rule for beginners is that bluffing should always be used when there
is a valid reason for doing so.
The bluff in action:
as mentioned before bluffing is only meant for winning a pot that could not
have been won, the idea of winning pots that could not have been won makes
bluffing an important tool that can be capitalized on when you want to cause
confusion among your opponents. With confused opponents, you are likely to win
the pot since they will put you in a more favorable position for taking bigger
pots with better hands.
Build Pressure with Bluffing: building more pressure for your opponents is a sure way of having fun
and making your opponents loss attention on the game. The idea of knowing that
you can bluff with a weak hand can make them re-evaluate their decisions since
it cannot cause you to call or fold. Into the bargain, if you effectively
bluff, your opponents may begin to play shoddier or “tilt”, therefore giving
you a chance to win the pot with much ease.
Bluff with Caution: bluffing on every occasion is a very dangerous thing to do if you intend
to win the game. In situations
where your opponent raises before the flop after that check on the River, your
bluff will have a higher probability of accomplishing something as your opponent
has exposed weaknesses. In addition, it is healthier to bluff against one
opponent more willingly than several opponents are since it is easier to make
one opponent fold with your bet in this way rather than making several
opponents folds to your bet. Furthermore,
your bluff must match the style of the rest of your hand.
The pros and cons of
bluffing
As a poker strategy, bluffing comes with its shares of
advantages and disadvantages. Therefore, it should be done when deemed
appropriate.
Pros
Bluffing keeps your mindset alert, thus giving you a chance to view each
poker game as an opening to win more and not as a doomed to failure situation.
Bluffing gives poker more life. Without bluffing, poker will
be a very boring game to play. It enables people to tell their opponents
believable stories that do not exist, just like all the actions individuals
make on the poker table.
Bluffing gives you an opportunity to know your opponents in
massive in terms of their true strength and nuances contained within each hand.
It is a vital weapon when used properly, it will enable you
to win pots, without having the best hand to win.
CONS
Bluffing exposes your weakness, especially if you are caught
bluffing every now and then and if you do not have the cards to back up your
bluff.
Excessive bluffing exposes you to a lot of dangers,
especially if you are obsessed with getting back all that you lost in the last
game. In addition, Excessive bluffing ruins your reputations thus make it
easier for your opponents to deny your chances to win the game.
Look at good and bad situations to bluff
It is no secret that buffing can be more successful in some circumstances
than others can. You should have a higher expectation when the probability of
being called decreases. There are more than a few game situations that may lessen
the likelihood of being called and therefore increase the probability of the
bluff. Such situation includes
- When
there are fewer challengers who have got to fold to the bluff
- When the
bluff offers a reduced amount of favorable pot odds to opponents for a
call
- In a
situation where a scare card comes that raises the number of superior
hands that you may be supposed to have.
- A
situation where your betting pattern in the hand has been steady with the
superior hand your opponents are provided with the bluff.
- When
your opponent's betting pattern gives an impression that the opponent may
have a marginal hand that is susceptible to a good number of potential
superior hands.
- In
situations where the opponent's betting pattern implies that the opponent may
possibly have a drawing hand moreover the bluff provides unpromising pot
odds to the opponent in favor of chasing the draw.
- When
your opponents do not unreasonably commit to the pot.
- In
situations where your opponents are adequately skilled and paying enough
attention to the game
When bluffing you should consider your opponent's current emotional
state. This is because when under certain circumstances outside pressures or proceedings
can considerably affect the opponent's decision-making capabilities.