Hey Folks!
India’s No.1 poker app– Adda52 brings to you a comprehensive guide to one of the core skills required in the game of poker.
After learning how to play poker, a quintessential trait that almost all poker pros have mastered for acing the games is the art of bluffing.
First, let’s look into what bluffing is all about.
The dictionary meaning of bluffing is deceiving someone into believing something which may or may not be true.
Bluffing in real money poker is the comprehensive act of making your opponents lay down a better hand than the one held by you by maintaining an inscrutable act that reveals no hint of your cards.
Half the battle is won if you make your opponents question whether you really have a good hand or are you pulling off a bluff!
Like all other poker rules and skills which a person learns & develops over time, bluffing is a skill that one adopts over time by consistently playing the game with good focus and observation skills of other player’s playing styles.
A hint of deception goes a long way in poker. And for this, the most vital attribute is exuding unparalleled confidence without cause. This may result in even the most seasoned players to fold their hand and give you an opportunity to win big!
The top reasons you need to master the act of bluffing are-
- To keep your opponents guessing about your next move
- To put your opponents under pressure
- To maximise your chances of winning the hand with mediocre cards
Now that you know why it is essential to bluff, here are some tips on how to bluff-
Attack signs of Weakness
As the tales of times go, recognising the actions of your opponents is a very important part of playing the game of poker itself. Once you know your opponent’s weakness or see passive behaviour such as unusual betting manners, then you can use it to plant your bluff successfully.
Don’t Bluff when there are too many players on the table
It is not only difficult to maintain a bluff with too many opponents on the table but may also prove to be a bad decision. It is easier to recognise the tells of one opponent and with lots of people, it may happen that some of them have better poker hands.
Represent a hand
Representing a hand means giving out an impression of holding a particular hand whether correct or incorrect. For example, if you bet high on a board of K♠ Q♦ 7♥, you’re representing a strong hand like KQ, QQ, KK, KQ or 77, no matter what cards you’re actually holding.
Representing allows you to cast an impression on your opponents in deceiving them to believe you have a better or worse hand than them.
But before you dive right into the act, here are some tips to keep in mind-
Recognize an appropriate chance
- The most important tip of bluffing is to recognize the most appropriate opportunity to bluff.
- Bluffing may be a practice adopted and mastered over time, it will only prove to be lucrative, when you know exactly when and against whom to bluff.
Timing Is Key
As it has been previously discussed, finding the perfect time to land a bluff is as essential as the act of bluffing in itself. Once you spot a sign of weakness from your opponent, that is exactly when you should place your bluff as at that very moment your opponent is most likely figuring out his next move.
Act from your position at the table
Where you are at the table is another denoting factor that defines the route you should take while bluffing at table. A bluff usually lands best when your opponents are going to take an action after your turn. To illustrate with an example, if the player next to you checks after your turn, it is possible that their hand cards are not as good as yours, giving you an upper hand.
Start small and escalate gradually
Just like trying anything new for the first time, it is recommended to start small and escalate your bluffing tactics gradually over time and practice. Thus, it is suggested that you practise bluffs at small stake tables where the risk of losing is also low in case this real cash game doesn’t proceed like you predicted.
Don’t give away your bluffs
When you play poker, it is always recommended to keep a cool head and not get very excited or over- confident in case you are able to ace at the poker games by bluffing.
Keep all the above points in mind, along with consistent practice and efforts, you can easily bluff your way to a good bankroll in this money earning game. Always exercise caution and do not underestimate your opponents in order to minimise your chances of losing.
