Claudiunm
Legend
Platinum Level
The key is to observe the player when he's not playing against you. Observe his play pattern. How does he bluff? You might ask, how do I know if he bluffed? The answer is simple. When he makes an xBB raise, if someone raises back, does he run, call, or raise again? When he has to show his hand, associate his hand with the play pattern he used. Then, little by little, establish a pattern for that player. When he faces you, you'll have more information about the pattern he uses when bluffing and when he has a strong hand. This formula isn't absolute. It can fail. But nothing is absolute in poker before the river. The key here is to increase your probability of success.
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caueribeiri
Rising Star
Bronze Level
I’m still new to poker, and I often get bluffed because I’m afraid my opponents actually have a strong hand. I’m learning that the key is to observe their patterns, stay calm, and bluff only when it makes sense — the bluff is not a bluff at the start of your hand it becomes a bluff as you get bad a flop. you start strong pre flop
Mantinhoo
Rock Star
Platinum Level
Welcome! It's totally normal to get bluffed when you're new, we've all been there. If a player's bet doesn't match the story the board is telling, they might be bluffing. Most bluffs happen in late position, especially when no one shows strength. Don't bluff just to bluff, do it when you can represent a real hand. And remember, folding isn’t a weakness, sometimes it’s the smartest move. Keep learning and trust your instincts, it gets better with experience!
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Chunhong319
Enthusiast
Silver Level
That’s a very common spot for beginners — and honestly, even experienced players struggle with it sometimes.
The key is not to focus too much on trying to “catch” bluffs, but to understand the story your opponent is telling with their bets.
Tero
Legend
Loyaler
Not necessarily. Once you become a huge stack in a table where everyone else have just tiny stacks you can pretty much raise any two cards pre-flop.
Now, do we call that bluffing or simply bullying is just a question of semantics.
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deckix
Rising Star
Bronze Level
Getting bluffed online happens to everyone, especially at first. You can’t see anyone’s face, hear their sighs, or watch their trembling hands… all you’ve got are bet sizes, timing, and patterns. But guess what? That’s actually plenty!
Here’s how to start fighting back (without throwing your keyboard):
Here’s how to start fighting back (without throwing your keyboard):
- Forget about “feeling” bluffs — think patterns.
In online poker, people bluff in patterns. Some bet big every time they miss a draw, others min-bet monsters. Keep mental notes: “Hmm, every time this guy checks the flop, he’s weak.” That’s gold. - Timing tells are real.
Snap-bets can mean different things depending on the player — some are insta-bluffers, some are insta-callers. If they take forever and then shove, they might be talking themselves into it. Pay attention — timing tells are the new body language. - Don’t try to bluff the unbluffable.
Some players call everything down to the river with bottom pair just to “see it.” Don’t waste bluffs on those folks — they’re like cats chasing laser pointers: completely unpredictable but always chasing. - Bluff when your story makes sense.
If you raised preflop, bet the flop, and then fire again on a scary card, that tells a believable story. Random bluffs (“Eh, let’s see what happens”) are just expensive experiments. - Take notes and tag players.
Online poker gives you tools live players don’t have — use them! Mark players who bluff too much or fold too easily. Over time, you’ll start recognizing who’s full of it and who’s actually holding the nuts. - And finally — don’t sweat getting bluffed.
Even the best players get bluffed all the time. It’s part of the game. If you never get bluffed, you’re folding too much. If you always get bluffed, you’re calling too much. The trick is finding that sweet, infuriating middle ground.
Nandabio81
Rock Star
Platinum Level
Good advice!
In the freeroll there are a lot of people who bluff and count on luck.
Mig32
Rock Star
Platinum Level
Bluffing is all about telling a believable story with your actions. For me, I only bluff when the situation makes sense — like when the board favors the range I’m representing or when my opponent has shown weakness. Timing and table image matter a lot. If I’ve been playing tight, my bluffs are more likely to be respected. But if I’m caught bluffing too often, it loses power. The key is to stay balanced — bluff sometimes, but always with a purpose, not just because you’re bored.
Aleksandr1991
Visionary
Platinum Level
better not to do that!)
Super_Bafalo
Enthusiast
Silver Level
If you have a lot of chips, it's much easier to bluff. If there are not enough chips, it is better to play with strong hands. I'm very bad at bluffing. You could say I'm a tight player. I don't know how to play against aggressive players who are constantly betting and bluffing. The final table is especially difficult, where bluffing plays a key role if you want to win the tournament. I'm not good at one-on-one either, bluffing is very important there. Well, we'll try to study bluffs and not be afraid to use it.
