If you watch any poker movie, you will notice that bluffing features prominently. It’s easy to understand why novices think that bluffing is such an important part of the game. In truth, however, bluffing is simply one small part of a good poker player’s strategy, and one that does not come into play in a large percentage of hands.
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Bluffing has a certain romance to it, and the appeal is easy to understand from an adrenaline rush point of view. Bluffing is essentially lying. Winning a bluff can have big returns, and if you get caught out, you lose your pot. It’s exciting to do, when it’s done right.
That’s the important thing though. If you bluff too often, the returns will be minimal and you will put yourself at risk of some senseless bankroll swings versus someone who only plays when they have a good hand. Similarly, if you never bluff, you will be too predictable.
When you bluff, you are putting yourself at risk of losing, and this can take a psychological toll. If you are on a losing streak, it’s normal to want to somehow take “revenge” and get a few wins. This is something that you need to learn to overcome if you want to succeed at poker.
The most painless way to do well is to have the winning hand, bet, and get called. This can’t be guaranteed though, so you need to sometimes help the process along a bit with the occasional bluff. Done well, at the right time and with the right poker startegy, bluffing can help you a lot in your online poker performance.
