Bluffing

When it comes to poker theory, the art of bluffing can be a bit confusing, especially if you are playing in real life games as opposed to online poker.

Bluffing is an important part of Texas Hold Em, whether you are playing Limit, No-Limit, or Pot Limit, but getting away with it successfully often depends on the type of game you are playing.

It is much harder to bluff in Limit and Pot Limit than it is in No-Limit, and that is the poker theory that all players should learn right away.

When it comes to No Limit Hold Em one poker theory tip to keep in mind is that people are different. Some players, especially those playing online, like to bluff a lot. These players will usually win a few hands until the better players figure out what they are doing and then the bluffers lose and usually lose big. Then there are players who play so tight that they never bluff. Players who bluff some of the time are better players than those at either end of the bluffing spectrum. Better poker players, of course, understand poker theory and will keep you guessing.

Players who keep you guessing are going to give you much more trouble than the more predictable players which is why bluffing is actually a part of poker theory.

Another very useful poker theory tip is that even the threat of a bluff can be helpful. A good player, one who does not bluff too often, will have other players guessing about his hand. The trick is this: If you bluff occasionally in the game and then you have the best hand and come out betting, your opponent will not know if you are bluffing or not. If there is a lot of money in the pot, and he thinks you are bluffing, he will probably call. This is called a trap, and it works if done correctly. It is cheaper for him to think that you are bluffing and pay the next bet, than to fold a hand that he might think is the winning hand.

Bluffing and the threat of bluffing go hand in hand. A bluff can enable a player to win a pot he figured to lose if the hands were shown. The threat of a bluff enables a player with a good poker hand to win more money than he would if his opponent knew he never bluffed
A successful poker player who understands poker theory has to play a middle-ground poker strategy when it comes to bluffing. You do not want to bluff too often, but, it is a mistake to never bluff at all.

Poker theory also demands that you know who you are bluffing against. A very tight player, one who does not like to call raises unless he has a very good hand, will often fold if you raise to him. This works best when it is only you and he left playing—the other players having already folded.

Also remember, that your bluff raise needs to be enough to run your opponent off. If it is a low raise, he will probably call because it does not cost him much money to do so.

Lastly, and this important in poker theory, if you raise on a bluff and your opponent re-raises you, you should consider folding. It is entirely possible that he has you trapped!