The right time to bluff when playing online poker
If you want to be a pro poker player then you must be able to bluff, and bluff at the right time. Although it is not used as often as people believe, the bluff is probably the most talked-about poker concept. If we were to exclude bluffing from poker, then the game would not be as exciting. You become predictable if you do not bluff and consequently you will not be able to maximize your winnings, let alone win. When you have no chance of winning the pot, you bluff. When you are trying to steal the pot before all the cards are dealt, you bluff.
Calculating if a bluff is profitable or not in a cash game is a relatively simple process. You simply compare the odds of making a successful bluff to the size of the bet and the size of the pot. This means that you must be able to predict if the other players around the poker table will fold or not.
Below I have listed the factors that you must take into consideration when making up your mind whether to bluff or not:
- The type of opponent you are facing;
- The number of players that you are competing with;
- Your table image;
- Your ability to “read” the other players;
- The board (if any);
- The size of the pot;
- Your position;
The type of opponent you are facing:
There is no sense in bluffing calling stations. They will call no matter what you are holding and no matter how well you bluff. This is one of the most common mistakes. So make sure that you are not playing against a calling station, but against a player that is good enough to fold a hand.
Do not bluff weak opponents who call with anything (referred to as “calling stations”). This is the most common mistake. Be sure that your opponent is a good enough player to fold a hand.
The number of players that you are competing with:
As a rule of thumb you should not bluff a field of three or more players, especially if you are playing Limit poker. Your bluff will be a success when playing against just one player. Not only do you have to fool just one player, but the pot is also smaller and thus less attractive.
Your table image:
If you have a loose table image, your bluff will not be successful. But the exact opposite will happen if you have a tight image. Your opponents will be more likely to call if you were recently caught bluffing. In other situations reverse psychology can be useful. Let’s say that you were caught bluffing by a good player. If the thinks you are also a good player, he will believe that you would not be foolish enough to bluff again.
Your ability to “read” the other players:
You will be able to identify good bluffing opportunities if you “read” the game well and are able to put your opponents on likely holdings. This skill though is rather difficult to master.
The board:
A bluff is less likely to succeed if the board looks like it could have hit your opponents or presents many drawing possibilities. You are well advised to look for boards without many draws or cards that are likely to improve your opponents’ hands. The bluff is more likely to succeed if you can represent a hand.
The size of the pot:
If the pot is big and your opponents get good pot odds, then they will most likely call. But if you bluff on a big pot and get away with it, the reward is that much sweeter. You should let your good judgment tell you when to bluff and when not to bluff.
Your position:
You will usually have more access to information regarding your opponents’ hands if you are sitting in late position. This way you will have better chances of successfully bluffing.
If you want to make the best decision about bluffing or not, then you must take all the factors presented above into consideration.
