What’s a game of poker without bluffing? For the uninitiated, bluffing is a risky strategy used by poker players and non-poker players but on the flipside the payoff from this strategy is huge. The online poker players feel that this is a simple strategy that they understand but it is not as simple as it looks. Because bluffing in poker is an act of deception where a weak hand is portrayed as a strong one that can potentially make your opponent fold bets. There are usually three main bluff strategies used:

1. A quick bluff strategy which is a bluff at the start of the game.

2. A semi-bluff where you don’t have a winning hand but the situation can improve when the cards are turned. So when you bluff on a possible winning hand, it is called semi-bluff.

3. A naked bluff, also known as a stone-cold bluff, means the only way of winning the pot in this scenario is to make the opponent fold their cards and it is considered an extremely difficult move to pull off.

It helps you win huge jackpots, which your opponent should have won. It is a well-established strategy to use in online poker games.

Tips for bluffing-

1. The first thing to remember is that you should bluff only with one or two players as they can be bluffed easily. But if the number of players is more than two, this strategy might prove risky as you already have a weak hand and the other player might call your bluff.

2. The best time to bluff while playing an online poker game is when opponents have checked on the previous round of expensive bets. You can bluff by taking a risk that no new card will help others fold their cards.

3. The bluff strategy should be used when the risk is lower and the payoff is lower than the later stages of the game when the bets are raised and the risk increases. These bluffs are called quick bluffs and should not be overused.

4. It would be best if you didn’t bluff while playing online poker, but this strategy should be used at the correct time and the right choices should be made. Beginners tend to bluff just because they haven’t bluffed in a while. You need to limit your bluffs as it is not a more significant part of online poker. Attempt bluffing when you know all cards are out and when stakes of you winning the hand are low.

5. If you are a beginner, then you should bluff when stakes are not high. Bluffing is effective when the stakes are lower because if the opponents call your bluff, then the loss is not that big. Betting small usually convinces other players. You can use bluffing as a strategy when you have a strong hand, making the opponent call your hand and win bigger pots.

6. Bluffs are proven successful when used for specific hands like a straight or flush because it gives you a better chance of winning the bluff.

7. Bluffing against strong players proves to be more effective. It increases the chances of you winning the bluff because sometimes beginners don’t have the experience and understanding of the game and may call your hand in the most unlikely situation where they should fold their hand.

8. Sometimes when bluffing, raising the bets by going all in the last stage of the game is a confident move that will make opponents think that you have a strong hand and they will be forced to fold.

9. When you are in the last position and you see that other players are in a tight situation, you should raise the bets by betting and force them to pre-flop under pressure. When your opponent has a small stack of coins, you can also bluff by raising the bets as the opponent won’t call your hand. Or you can bluff when you know your opponent is going to fold their hand.

10. Online poker is a risky game and you should not bluff when more cards are to come because you don’t know the next card. But semi-bluff can be possible in which you can win the pot or if the opponent folds, then also you win the hand.

Conclusion

Bluffing is a complicated strategy and there is the right time and place when you should use it to your advantage. Inexperienced players fall into the trap of bluffing more often. All the above tips should be kept in mind before an attempt is made to bluff. If you are very new to playing online poker, you should stick to a simple game plan and not bluff much as you may lose hands as you are not experienced. You can study pokerology on rake-back poker sites that will help you learn more. When these above tips are used with the experience of playing poker, bluffing becomes an art in itself. You better play the good hands rather than the bluff when you don’t know whether the other player will fold or call the hold.

FAQ

1. When should you bluff in poker online?

2. Is Bluffing really necessary in the game?

3. Is poker really a different game from the Cheat online game?

4. What are some of the other Card Games?

5. How can you read someone's bluff?