Regardless of whether you are a new player or one that has been playing for eons, you should master the art of bluffing and at bandarq you will get to utilize all those skills that you learn. Poker is a game of strategy and you want to be prepared ahead of time. These tips and strategies will help you get prepared and master the art of bluffing.
- Less is more
Bluffing should be used sparingly and only when there aren’t many players at the table. It is much more difficult to fool four players than just one or two. There are only so many cards, and it is likely that another player will have a better hand than you, this is especially the case with 3 or more players when more cards are on the table at a time.
- Bluff on the flop
Most of the time, your opponent will miss the flop, or graze it. In most cases, they are going to fold because they would rather save money than take the chance of losing it. Of course, this depends on the types of players at the table. If you raised before the flop, then you should definitely put in a continuation bet after as it can make other players believe you have a strong hand.
- Don’t be afraid to fold
Folding is an essential part of a successful bluffing strategy. Most people won’t fold because they don’t want to wait around for the next hand, this eventually leads to them losing money. You want to make sure that you put some money on the table after you have four of a kind. Otherwise, word will get out and players will catch onto your game plan.
- Base your bluff on the pot odds
In other words, don’t waste bluffing on large pots. In addition, your attitude should reflect that of someone who is holding a winning hand. If there is a large amount of money in the pot, players are less likely to fold because there is more at stake.
- Know your opponents
There are some instances in which bluffing is out of the question, one of those is when you are playing with new or aggressive players. Aggressive players won’t fold because they will continue to bet carelessly regardless of the odds. In the case of a new player, they usually aren’t quite sure how everyone else expects them to play so they will continue to bet. If you are going to bluff it is generally best to do so when at the table with tight players who would rather play it safe.
- The late position
If you happen to end up in the late position (includes the dealer and the following 2 players on the right), you have a major advantage because you will be one of the very last to act and therefore will have more information about what your opponents are holding.
- Maintain an aggressive/tight image
Most players that are considered tight and aggressive have a good chance of pulling off a bluff because they tend to play it safe, which means they play for keeps and are less likely to bluff. Maintaining this image pretty much gives you a pass.
- Use weak players to your advantage
Players who show weakness are much easier to bluff than those who show strength. This will be much easier to do if you are in the late position.
- Don’t bluff on a hopeless hand
Bluffing on a hopeless hand when there are still more cards to come is a bad idea. If you hit your draw or your opponent’s fold, you could win the pot. A semi-bluff is a good idea in this scenario.
- Bluff when all the cards are out
If all the cards are on the table and you don’t have a winning hand, it isn’t a bad idea to bluff. However, you don’t want to do this to extremes. In the event that you’re capable of beating a draw, save your bet for a showdown.
Conclusion
The strategy should be an ever-present part of your poker game including when and how you bluff. These tips will help you come up with a winning strategy before your game or on the spot. In the event that you know who your opponents will be before you sit down at the table, you can plan a little bit in advance. But the rest depends upon your ability to understand, analyze, and predict, right at the table. Rock on!