Undoubtedly the most popular strategy associated with poker, bluffing is an important element of the game that all players strive to master. At first glance, bluffing might seem like a simple enough trick – you just lie and hope for the best, right? WRONG! Many of you might have tried bluffing time and time again, only to be caught red-handed repeatedly.
In which cases can your bluff be easily discovered? What is the right way to use this particular poker strategy? Before you complete the Everygame casino login process and place your bets, get acquainted with the art of bluffing and become a better poker player!
3 Reasons Why Your Bluffs Don't Work
There are three main reasons why your bluffs don't have the desired effect:
- Your timing is off –The way you react post-flop can set the tone for what comes next, as you won't be able to bluff later in the game if you don't show confidence in your hand's worth at this stage of the game. Picking the right time to bluff is crucial if you want your actions to look believable.
- You Bluff too often – Many players bluff randomly, without thinking about what story they are trying to project to their opponents or taking into account their position, which is setting them to fail. If you bluff without thinking and do it too often, you will lose all credibility, therefore, your bluffs won't work any longer.
- You have an obvious tell – In live poker, body language can send out unwanted signals that might alert your opponents to the fact that you're bluffing. In online poker, on the other hand, certain actions can pose as tells: if your reaction time is too quick or if you bet too excessively, etc.
How to Fix Your Bluffing Techniques
Now that you know what gives you away when you try to bluff, what can you do to get better at deceiving your fellow poker players? Well, it all comes down to choosing the right moment to make your move.
First, keep your cool, and don't try to bluff left and right without taking a moment to assess the situation. Some players try to bluff whenever they have a bad hand they try to save, but not every hand is worth the effort.
When you try to decide whether you should bluff or not, you should take into account your position, as it is easier to bluff in a late position, after watching your opponents and trying to assess how strong their hands are.
In addition, you should think about which cards can help you pull off a bluff and which can hurt your chances of being successful in your efforts. You should only make a bluff when it is believable and when the cards are good for your range and bad for your opponents.
When there is a chance that your opponents might have a reason to call, you should fold and wait for another opportunity to execute your bluff.
And lastly, make sure that you are telling a believable story. Your moves must make complete sense if you want your rivals to believe you have the upper hand. Don't chicken out and change your tactics halfway through a hand, and don't try to act as if you have perfect card combinations each round – as your opponents will be able to sniff you out in no time.
And Don't Forget to Enjoy the Game!
Bluffing successfully requires a certain amount of concentration and seriousness, but don't forget that at the end of the day, poker is supposed to be entertaining! Bluff to your heart's content, and do your best to have fun along the way.