How to Bluff in Poker

I know, I know, everybody likes to bluff, right? Of course! It makes you feel great, like those guys in the movies that fake out all the tough, angry-looking cowboys! But believe me, bluffing isn't a tactic to be taken lightly: if you want to do it right, anyway.

There are a few times when it's best to bluff, a few when you SHOULD bluff, and a few times when bluffing is the stupidest thing in the world. Here are a few of each!

Bluffing when a lot of the other players in the game have already folded is a pretty safe time to try it because there's fewer people to try & fool. But be careful: this is a pretty obvious trick a lot of the time.

If you bet big in the Preflop betting round (say you were dealt an AK) but the cards you were hoping for didn't come up on the Flop, you might still be able to pull it out: the other players don't necessarily know that your cards didn't come up. But again, be careful: the good players probably DO know that your cards didn't come up.

If you're playing against tight players, you can usually expect them to fold pretty quick if you start your bluff early in the round. But remember: if they don't fold to you, be cautious: if they're playing the hand then chances are they've got a good hand. Also, because they're tight players, you're not likely to grab any huge pots from them, but consistently stealing the Blinds can add up.

Click the links below to learn more about:

How Poker Betting works

Learn Poker Odds

Poker Playing Styles

The "Button" and the "Blinds"

Or if you want something a little easier, try the How to Play Poker section.