To bluff or not to bluff?
I often see inexperienced players make the mistake of thinking that bluffing is about pretending to have a big hand every x hands, regardless of what other players might appear to have. Although you may technically call it bluffing, since the player is trying to show a bigger hand than he actually has, you should bear in mind that if you don’t pay attention to the other players and pick your spots, bluffing at poker can cost you dearly.
What you should remember is that although bluffing is a crucial skill to learn, it is neither obligation nor a rule of poker. In poker it doesn’t matter how much or how often you bet. It isn’t important how often you bluff, but how often it works.
You should bluff when at least one of the following conditions is met:
- You are in late position and no one before you is representing a strong hand
- The board cards or cards you have showing make it possible for you to represent a strong hand
- Your table image is solid as a rock
- You have read other players’ tells and know they are weak and will fold to a bet or raise
- You are playing against only one opponent