I love poker, but I suck at bluffing. WHAT DO I DO?

heatonmania · Sep 12, 2014

How can I say this... I love poker. I play it with my buddies on a bi-weekly basis, but always lose because I suck at bluffing. I mean I am absolutely horrible. I hesitate, I overthink, I give off cues, etc. How do I improve?

fubarcdn · Sep 12, 2014

To bluff successfully you have to try to represent a hand.
If the bluff doesn't make sense it will not work.

RamdeeBen · Sep 12, 2014

Given it's one of your first posts and you likely are quite new to poker and playing in games where the players are probably quite bad, then I have to tell you bluffing is a waste of time for the most part especially if the players are bad enough that they won't fold.

In general, bluffing should be at a minimum in tournaments vs bad players because a basic strong ABC game is enough to win where bluffing isn't needed. I feel you probably watch poker on TV and see players bluffing but it really is a small part of the game until you get to a level where players are thinking about hand ranges. My guess is, they probably aren't at the minute at the level you're playing.

Don't bluff, just play solid good poker.

waterboy73 · Sep 12, 2014

How about trying not to bluff as much, or at all, if need be? I'd start there.. It probably means you are playing way too many hands, likely weak or -EV hands. If you tighten up your game and starting range, you won't be forced into spots where you feel you need to be bluffing. I'd suggest reading some articles on starting hand ranges. Also, try bluffing one street, if you get called, then slow down on future streets.

JPoling · Sep 12, 2014

Contrary to belief, Bluffing actually is not a big part of poker. Now, dont get me wrong, you do need to be able to bluff. But bluffing is such a minor part. Especially if it is a pure-bluff. Now, Semi-Bluffs is a very strong tool in any poker players arsenal.

scorpion1367 · Sep 12, 2014

Remember when playing a hand your bets and bet sizing are telling a story , if the story does not make sense then your opponent will not believe it.That is of course as others have said you are playing with thinking players.......scorp

n3rv · Sep 12, 2014

Just use your current table image to your advantage. Your friends currently see you as a weak player who tries to bluff. Therefore, only play the nuts in your next game, and when you do, do exactly what you would do as if you were bluffing.

natsgrampy · Sep 12, 2014

Bluffing makes for good TV.

A well timed bet will win many more pots.

This I would say is betting when it is checked around to you, playing position.

lois505 · Sep 12, 2014

bluff no good for me too, i always lost at bluff ,pepole seems can read my cards most time i thought , we need often doing bluffing exercises

BearPlay · Sep 12, 2014

I bluffed once. I think it was 1989.

Everybodylovesdeuces · Sep 12, 2014

Have you read Annie Duke's new book? It's got some great advice mixed in about bluffing.

Zorba · Sep 12, 2014

BearPlay said:
I bluffed once. I think it was 1989.

And now your a Father as a result.

BearPlay · Sep 12, 2014

Hehe, exactly, Sir Nick!

JPoling · Sep 12, 2014

Zorba said:
And now your a Father as a result.

haha that just made me laugh

martymart48 · Sep 12, 2014

Dont need to bluff to play poker.I dont like to bluff but sometime i make
semi-bluff.You have to know if other player want to stay in the hand.

Kenzie 96 · Sep 12, 2014

ramdeebam said:
Given it's one of your first posts and you likely are quite new to poker and playing in games where the players are probably quite bad, then I have to tell you bluffing is a waste of time for the most part especially if the players are bad enough that they won't fold.

In general, bluffing should be at a minimum in tournaments vs bad players because a basic strong ABC game is enough to win where bluffing isn't needed. I feel you probably watch poker on TV and see players bluffing but it really is a small part of the game until you get to a level where players are thinking about hand ranges. My guess is, they probably aren't at the minute at the level you're playing.

Don't bluff, just play solid good poker.

BearPlay said:
I bluffed once. I think it was 1989.

Zorba said:
And now your a Father as a result.

Need we say more?

micalupagoo · Sep 12, 2014

agree with the above posts
learn a solid game
bluff only when being a nit way to long and folding too many hands- they think you have it then, but really, avoid at most costs

and lols Zorba/bear

XXPXXP · Sep 13, 2014

bluff is part of poker.
well time bluff is a kind of skill.
and catch bluff as well.
there is no quick way but just try to practice and improve.
good luck.

PapaC · Sep 13, 2014

With online poker, the only time bluffing is good for me is when I'm last to act and it has been checked to me. Most of the time a check is a show of weakness and I take advantage of it in that position. But as I do real often is to check in hopes to raise, and believe me I do get caught. I like what n3rv advised you to do. Play as you always do, but without the bluffing. Really have the right hands. And it will take them a long time to understand you have changed. And by then your wallet should get fatter. I was done with this post. Then I thought I needed to add a little something else. Heatonmania I have been in all the home poker games, and I know about all the drinking and what ever, and most of the time it did not mix for me. But my uncle used to tell me to just play the part, and when you seem to be the easy mark, they will try to get over, then you will be ready with the right hands. As I got older, that advice helped me a lot playing with the good old boys.

Jacki Burkhart · Sep 14, 2014

you don't need to be bluffing nearly as much as you might think.

it's a more advanced move after you have other basics down. and there are certain players you should NEVER bluff....

crawl....walk....jog....run....hurdles

a well executed bluff is more akin to the Running or Hurdles section of the scale here. You want to make sure you are a good solid jogger before you attempt any serious running.

BigJamo · Sep 16, 2014

Lmao here ... Nearlly fell off my chair.

joe777 · Sep 16, 2014

You dont need to bluff so much.Just learn to play your hand accordingly and how to use position wisely.

terryg642 · Sep 16, 2014

Don't bluff,just kidding,alot of people will play there hand and not yours so if you're in position and everyone checks to you ,on the river sling one in there.The Ideal thing would be to get caught in a small pot,that way people see you as a bluffer and you'll get more value out of your better hands,this is really what bluffing's about.

Poker Orifice · Sep 16, 2014

heatonmania said:
How can I say this... I love poker. I play it with my buddies on a bi-weekly basis, but always lose because I suck at bluffing. I mean I am absolutely horrible. I hesitate, I overthink, I give off cues, etc. How do I improve?

seems kinda simple... don't bluff (Nike Bluffs)

swerdnase · Sep 16, 2014

If you're losing just because you're bad at bluffing, then there are probably other facets of the game you need to improve as well. But to answer your question, just play more. You'll eventually start noticing what works and what doesn't.

I love poker, but I suck at bluffing. WHAT DO I DO?

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