Texas Hold'em Bluffing

Texas Holdem Bluffing & Semi Bluffing

First, some texas holdem bluffing 'dos':

DO bluff when the pot is big. You don't need as big a chance of winning as when the pot is smaller.

DO bluff against good players. They will appreciate the opportunity to joust whereas bad players will simply call you because it's in their mentality to be impatient and want to see the next card.

DO bluff when an opponent is not bluffing. This happens when the pot is huge and the other player knows it will take only one card to beat him. He's unlikely to be bluffing if he's been first to bet in a game with five or more players and expects to be called.

DON'T bluff when you've recently been caught bluffing. You've been labeled as a poor bluffer already. Let them forget that hand and start rebuilding a reputation as a straight player - you'll get another chance soon!

DON'T bluff against lots of players. Chances are that someone has something that they'll stick with. From an odds perspective, this is never worth it.

There are a variety of times when playing texas holdem that a bluffing position arises, here are some bluffing examples:

Bluff Examples: A common texas holdem bluff is that you are on the button and a couple tight players check to you on the flop. The board has no draws and it is either Ace or King high (such as As 8c 4d). A bet here could very well win the pot regardless of what you have since they are unlikely to want to chase if you already have a pair of Aces.

Bluffing from late position when everyone checks on the flop and then on the turn is also common. Another one would be if the board comes back with all rags (low cards) and you are in one of the blinds. Coming right out betting or check raising a late position player would be a decent bluff example.

Another good example of a texas holdem bluff would be to raise or check raise someone if the board pairs on the turn card. It will be very unlikely that they will want to call since they assume you already have three of a kind.

Knowing when to bluff and semi-bluff is very important. Winning a pot feels great but stealing one feels ten times better and that feeling is addictive. But beware you don't get too ambitious and bluff all your money away. A few tips are as follows.

• A bluff works best when you know that the person you are playing against thinks you have a certain hand.
• Poker bluffs work best when you are playing a good player instead of a poor one.
• Bluffs also work best on later rounds when the bet is more.
• Bluffs also work best against one opponent.
• Be careful though in trying to bluff really big pots since most people won't fold under any circumstance in that situation.
• Once you start bluffing a hand, don't show weakness. Say you bluff on the turn and get called.

Both bluffs and semi-bluffs present themselves by the texture of the game, your opponents, your table image and of course the cards. When everyone sees you always showing down really strong hands (which they should), you are in the perfect position to bluff them.