How to learn to bluff better? I’m too afraid to do it.

Sos1l said:

Hi everyone!

I have a problem with bluffing. I almost always prefer to play only good cards and catch bluffs instead of making them. I know bluffing is an important skill, but I’m afraid to lose chips for nothing.

How do you decide when to bluff and when not to?
How can I recognize when I have fold equity and when I don’t?

I’d really appreciate your advice or examples from your experience. Thanks!

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Sos1l said:

¡Hola a todos!

Tengo un problema con el farol. Casi siempre prefiero jugar solo buenas cartas y detectar los faroles en lugar de intentar farolear. Sé que farolear es una habilidad importante, pero me da miedo perder fichas sin obtener nada a cambio.

¿Cómo decides cuándo farolear y cuándo no?
¿Cómo puedo saber cuándo tengo una ventaja competitiva y cuándo no?

Agradecería mucho tus consejos o ejemplos basados en tu experiencia. ¡Gracias!

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veryluckyfish7k said:

look to the play of your opponent check him you will understand and feel when you should bluff

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DiegoTrapote said:

I think it's a matter of analyzing your rival, seeing how they play, if you see that on the turn they check you and there are good cards on the table, they almost always fold up if you raise your bet a little or they can accept you if they wait for a card for color or ladder, if there's nothing on the river that I can complete and I check you again, it's your chance to bet heavily. Well that's what I do and most of the time it worked out for me hahaha

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Sos1l said:

1.Is it worth bluffing with complete air, or is it better to semi-bluff or at least have some equity in the hand?

2.Who do you think are the best players to bluff against?
Are there certain types of opponents where bluffing works better or worse?

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Vrotebal said:

Analyze your games: After a game, try to analyze your bluffs. What worked? What didn't? This will help you improve your skills.

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veryluckyfish7k said:

1)i think well bluffing with complete air is usually not worth it - it’s better to semi-bluff when you still have some equity like draws or overcards. That way, you can win either by making your opponent fold or by hitting your hand.
2)bluffing against tight and thinking players who can actually fold, against calling stations who love to see every showdown - bluffing is a waste of chips. well that's my opinion, idk maybe i'm wrong

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dannystanks said:

It gets easier the more you do it. It’s important to put into your game play so you can get action with your hands that you do play. Imagine if your opponents know that you never bluff, they will indeed take advantage of you at the tables.

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Hospedar said:

A balanced range will have bluffs, but the frequency may change depending on the situation you are. Otherwise, you would just be too tight and, by consequence, previsible...

I'm not a specialist, but I know that you need to study more about GTO and how to take the theory and adapt it to your field using MDA (Mass Data Analysis) at your favor.

Learning it will make you less afraid about doing it, as you would understand why you would do what you are doing at each spot.

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