Poker Strategy – Bluffing is Delicate Business

Bluffing is a strategy many people use to gain an advantage over another player. Poker is a mental game and half the battle is managing perceptions. It is about getting other players to drop out of the hand. Bluffing can help you to win by default if everyone folds or it can help to limit the number of players against whom you are competing. Bluffing can be a powerful tool, but needs to be used appropriately and carefully. There are some techniques to make bluffing work. Often times, movies and television shows dramatize the bluffs of a poker game, but it is necessary to know when and how to use a bluff.

The first rule is to not bluff too often. You do not always have to bluff to be able to win. When people watch the TV poker tournaments, they often take some surprising bluffs that are extremely risky. These are far fewer than the shows make you think. You do not want to bluff as often as it may seem.

When people are just starting out, it is better for you to perform well rather than try to manipulate the opponent. You will have better success. When you do need to bluff, make sure it is not a regular occurrence. The art to a rewarding bluff is to make people believe that you are not bluffing. If they think you are bluffing often, they will not believe you in the future.

The other thing to keep in mind is the cards that the opponent could have in their hand. If the other person is likely to have a better hand, you can bluff or fold. Make sure that you know what the perception is for your hand to make a bluff work out in your favor. If the other person has a fantastic hand, a bluff is not likely to work out well. Close attention to the cards being played is a crucial factor for determining when to bluff.