Bluffing and Stealing
Bluffing
Bluffing - pretending you have a good hand when the truth is somewhat different. You will have to try a bluff from time to time. There's no escaping. It can be a devastating tactic and push you to the top of the pile if you pull it off. Or it can devastate you if you get caught.
Attempting to bluff in normal tournament play, we suggest to you, is not a tactic to employ on anything like a regular basis with your target being to survive and work towards that "in the money" finish. Although there are times to give it a try.
It's about spotting the opportunity and then measuring if you think you can get away with it. When you attempt a bluff, it's much more a case of playing the player (for example trying to push a weak player off a hand) than the cards you are holding. This is one reason why it's so important to figure out your opponents' style of play.
We would not recommend that you attempt to bluff a bad player. Some players will call your raise no matter what they are holding hoping they'll catch some cards and make a hand as they go and to "get lucky". They never know when they are beaten. Or that you want them to think they are beaten.
On the other hand, weak or tight players will be easier to bluff. Show then "strength" by representing you have a big hand if you spot weakness in them and you might be able to pull it off.
Another "don't" is to attempt a bluff against multiple opponents or from an early table position. If you do either, you have an increased possibility that somebody will have something better than you and will take your chips away from you.
Bluffing when chasing cards yourself is not advisable. Say you have J T and the flop comes 9, K, A. You need a Q to make a straight. The odds are very much against you so why bother wasting chips chasing the Q. OK, you'll get lucky from time to time and the Q will come, but much more often that not it won't.
So when might be a good time to bluff? Tricky question. Possible scenarios may be if you are in late position pre-flop with just a couple of players limping in (calling, not raising) or you are last to act post-flop and everyone has checked before you. Throwing out a reasonable raise to "pretend" you have a great hand might convince your opponents you really do and cause them to fold.
For example - post-flop there is a potential flush showing. Players acting before you do check so you think they can't have made the flush. Pretending you HAVE made it with a bluff-raise might take the pot for you on the spot. If not and somebody calls your raise or re-raises you the likelihood now is that they really do have the flush. You can fold and still be alive. Sure, you've been caught bluffing - it will happen.
And if you are going to bluff (or your position in the tournament is under threat) try to do so not only if you spot weakness on others but also when you have "outs" - a reasonable chance of making that great hand you want others to think you have. For example you have J T hearts and two more hearts arrive on the flop. A heart on either turn or river and you have your flush.
Stealing
Another form of bluffing is know as "stealing the blinds" and becomes very important as the blinds raise as the tournament progresses. For example you are in late position, everyone has folded before you so now it's just you, the small blind and the big blind. Throwing out a good bet now may mean they'll fold and the pot will be yours. Why - because the blinds have already been forced to put chips in to the pot and may not want to put more in unless they have good hands. And you'll know if one or both of them has got a good hand because they'll call your raise or re-raise you.
Another "stealing" opportunity may be if you are in an early position to bet in the latter stages against few opponents. Everyone will now be thinking about making the money finish and play will tighten up. A nice raise from early position might convince everyone you've got a good one and make them fold.
If you are in the big or small blind - prepare to be attacked! Opponents will be trying the "stealing" tactic. If you suspect that's what they are doing and they don't in fact have good cards and/or you do be prepared to defend yourself by re-raising.
Bluffing and stealing are elements of the game in which you will have to develop your own style and spot opportunities. But hopefully the above paragraphs will have given you an insight. Pulling off a bluff move can be very satisfying though if you are going to try it, be prepared to accept the consequences if it goes wrong and if you are playing with free poker cash! |
