Texas Holdem Bluff Strategy

Poker Bluffing

The most common time to bluff when playing poker is when you can pull it off. It's very easy to trick just one person. Use your skills at evaluating the previous rounds and the board to determine what they might have.

The flop doesn't have any draws

Sometimes someone will bet in this case to eliminate the ability to acquire a draw, sometimes because they have a good hand. You really have to know the player.

They bet on the flop, checked on the turn

If there was a draw, and it didn't hit, they are probably just buying a free card. Bet back against them and take the initiative.

Bet on the flop, bet on the turn, checked on the river

Same as before, but they bought another turn. Might as well bet back at them.

They bet and tell you to "save your money"

If they really wanted you to save your money, they wouldn't have bet. Sometimes players say that just to create the opposite image, so look out. Few are that crafty though, so tell the joker that they are bluffing and re-raise.

Semi-Bluffing

Semi-bluffing is a sort of bluff where you have a poor poker hand or a drawing hand that can possibly improve. Against players with nothing it functions a lot like a bluff. Against poker players with something it functions as a form of aggression. It is a powerful tool, as it can lead to a deceptively powerful hand if the cards come to you. It can also be a source of great loss if overused or misused.

Semi-bluffing in Texas Hold'em is used best in bluffing situations. Its usefulness comes from the fact that players who recognize a bluff won't necessarily recognize when you make your draw. It is more useful (and preferable) against a lot of players, as opposed to outright bluffing, since the odds tend to be better.

Other than that, you'll want to use semi-bluffing in late position, usually on the flop or turn, against mediocre flops, and against poor poker players.

Reasons NOT to bluff

Bluffing should not be an automatic reaction. When doing it keep in mind that everyone else is also looking for an opportunity to bluff. Maybe you spot them bluffing in a common situation or they spot you. It only works when you get away with it, so you must use it sparingly.Here are some times when you outright should not bluff:

When players expect you to

Don't be the fish. A huge leak can be bluffing in telltale situations against players who know them. That's a common money-maker for the other players. Always consider this rule before attempting a bluff.

When you've been caught bluffing recently

You've been labelled as a poor bluffer already. Ride it out. Let them forget that hand. Start rebuilding a reputation as a straight player so you can eventually try a bluff again later (and hopefully not screw it up again).

Against a dangerous flop

If the flop has an Ace, chances are that someone has a pair of aces. Aces tend to make it beyond pre-flop. Also, players tend to continue to play their Aces. Don't bluff against Aces. You also wouldn't want to bluff against a flop like K,Q and 9. Chances are someone has something they'll stick with.

Against lots of poker players

Chances are that someone has something that they'll stick with. By bluffing in this situation, you just become an agent of that player. From an odds perspective, this is never worth it.

Against bad poker players

As much as they love to bluff, they love to catch someone in a bluff. They're much more likely to "keep you honest" because they don't realize what a money-loser that is. It's much more profitable to play straight up in these games.

Bluffing in Texas Holdem is only effective from a "fear" perspective in this case. Also, bluffing often involves representing certain cards and so if players do not pick up on your carefully considered and deliberate timing of bets, you'll end up being even more annoyed.

You just lost a big hand or have lost a series of hands

Not only might you be on tilt, but other players will expect you to be on tilt, and will more readily call you.

You limped in, or are in a blind position

You really have to evaluate the flop, but generally other players will think you have a poor hand and expect you to bluff.