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Bluffing

BlufflingWhat is a bluff? It's when a player bets or raises to imply that he has a strong hand when in fact he does not. This can be made at any stage of the game and the object is to scare the opponents into folding. Actually, bluffing is what makes poker such an exiting and fascinating game. Without bluffs, or the possibility of bluffs, playing poker would be rather pointless. Browsing an Online poker directory you will find many usefull places to brows for the art of bluffing.

Consequently bluffing is an essential part of any poker player's game. It's not to be used excessively but under the right circumstances a bluff is a very powerful weapon. Without it you become too predictable and easy to read. If you want to be a winner in the long run you have to be able to make a well-timed bluff now and again.

As mentioned, bluffing should not be used carelessly. There are many things to consider before throwing your money into the pot when holding lousy cards. If you visit an Online casino directory you will find even more examples.

First of all, you have to know what you're up against. One general rule is not to bluff bad players. Some people will call no matter what cards their holding and naturally, against such a player a bluff will never work. You're ability to read other players, is absolutely vital. A correct assumption of what your opponents are holding will help you identify the perfect moment for a bluff. Of course, the cards on the board play a huge role in this. If it looks likely that you're opponents have hit their hands or if the board presents many drawing possibilities bluffing should be avoided. The perfect scenario is an uncoordinated board with one scare card that you can represent. If you can represent a strong hand the other players are more likely to throw their cards away.

The number of opponents left in the hand is another factor to consider. The ideal is to be up against just one player. In these cases the pots are usually small and your rival may not find the risk of calling worth it. If there's three or more players left in the hand you should avoid bluffing in most cases.

You have to know your opponents, but you also have to remember that they might know you. The way you're conceived by the other players is called your "table image". If you are known as a loose player that bluffs a lot you're more likely to be called, or even raised, when attempting to steal the pot. On the other hand, when you have a tight table image it's less probable that you're opponents will suspect a bluff.

The bigger the pot, the harder it is to bluff, since the pot odds for calling are better. On the other hand, a big pot bluff that succeeds will give a huge pay off. When playing in a cash game the odds are always a factor - it's possible to calculate if making a bluff will be profitable in the long run. Compare the odds of making a successful bluff to the size of the bet you have to make and the size of the pot. Of course, to make these kinds of calculations correctly you have to be able to determine the likelihood of your opponents folding.

Finally, position. Poker is a game about information and when you're in late position you know more about your opponent's hands. This is something you can take advantage of. If everybody else checks and the situation otherwise favors a bluff, you should try to steal the pot.

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