When Bluffing is not an option

There are many articles, including on this site, on bluffing techniques or trying to teach when to actually bluff when playing Texas Hold’em poker, but this one will be a little different. What I will discuss here is when NOT to bluff. This is a very important ***** and one should not practice, as it were.

The first thing to realize is that bluffing is a skill and not simply an attack or defense. In fact, bluffing should never be a first reaction. So many people tend to bluff first before even looking at their cards. Some don’t even realize they are bluffing and think they are just automatically going to get the draw they need.

While experience will teach you more than any article on bluffing in Texas Hold’em poker, here are some very common situations where you should NOT bluff.

When you just got caught bluffing the previous hand.

When you get caught bluffing the first impulse may be to have an “I’ll show them” attitude and to bluff again. Fight that impulse and think again before bluffing.

After a good flop.

When there is an ace, king, or queen in the flop, chances are if there are many players still in the hand that someone hit something and will ride out the turn or even the river. This is not a good situation to bluff in. Watch how people bet after a good flop and take your cues from that.

When there are many players in a hand.

The more people in a hand the more dangerous a bluff can be. Also if there is another person that actually has something you are simply helping that person raise the pot and working against yourself.

When it is an obvious bluffing situation.

A very common way to make money at the table, even without winning cards, is to learn who bluffs and when. You should be trying to read other players and not be the obvious mark at the table. Watch who is bluffing and take notes so you can use them to your advantage, not the other way around.

When playing against bad players.

Bluffing is an attempt to miss-represent your cards. Bad players will get enjoyment of trying to catch people in a bluff and not even realize when they are doing it. They will stay in hands not caring if they win or lose and call out your bluffs. Play straight when playing against these types of players and wait for them to start to bluff, you’ll clean up at the poker table when you learn that.

When having a string of bad luck.

When you have lost consecutive poker hands people will start to get a feeling for you and more likely call a bluff leaving you losing again. Play straight and try to play through your bad cards. Stay away from bluffing here.

When in the blind.

After the flop you can evaluate more, but when on the blind people expect you to stay in so playing straight up and tight will serve you better here in Texas Hold’em poker.