The Poker Bluff
All successful poker players must be able to make a well-timed
bluff. The bluff is probably the most talked-about poker concept,
although it is not used as often as people believe. Still, to
exclude bluffing from poker would result in an uninteresting game:
If you never bluff you become too predicable and will not be able to
maximize your winnings, much less win at all. You bluff when you
have no chance of winning the pot or when you are trying to steal
the pot before all the cards are dealt. In a cash game, it is
possible to calculate whether a bluff will be profitable or not. To
do this, you compare the odds of making a successful bluff to the
size of the bet and the size of the pot. Therefore, an important
skill is the ability to determine the likelihood that your
opponent/s will fold.
The following are some factors to
consider when deciding whether to
bluff or not:
- Type of opponent
- Number of opponents
- Your table image
- Your "reading" skills
- The board (if any)
- The size of the pot
- Your position
Type of opponent:
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.
Number of opponents:
In general, do not bluff a field of three or more players,
especially not in Limit poker. A bluff is much more likely to
succeed against one opponent, not only because it is just one player
but also because the pot is usually smaller, which makes it less
desirable.
Your table image:
A bluff is less likely to succeed if you have a loose table image
rather than a tight one. If you were recently caught bluffing, your
opponents will be more likely to call you in the future, although
reverse psychology can occasionally prove beneficial in such
situations. For example, if a good player caught you bluffing and he
regards you as a good player, he might think you would not dare
bluff him again.
Your "reading" skills:
If you "read" the game well and are able to put your opponents on
likely holdings, you will be able to identify good bluffing
opportunities. This is probably the hardest and most important skill
to master.
The board:
If the board looks like it could have hit your opponents or
presents many drawing possibilities, a bluff is less likely to
succeed. Look for boards without many draws or cards that are likely
to improve your opponents' hands. If you can represent a hand, the
bluff is more likely to succeed. An uncoordinated board with one
scare card that you can represent is usually a good bluffing
opportunity.
The size of the pot:
Your opponents will be more prone to call if the pot is big
because they get better pot odds. On the other hand, if you make a
successful bluff in a big pot the reward will also be bigger. This
is when good judgement comes into play.
Position:
If you are sitting in late position, you will usually have more
access to information regarding your opponents' hands and, thus,
will be in a better situation to bluff. For example, if it is
checked to you, the board looks favourable and there are few players
in the pot.
It is crucial that you consider all of
these concepts when deciding whether to bluff or not. |
