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No Limit Hold'em - Bluffing

Bluffing is betting with what you think is the worst hand, trying to make the other players feel that you have a stronger hand than you actually do, which causes them to fold so you’ll win the pot. Bluffing in no-limit is much more effective than in limit poker simply because you can bet a large enough bet to force your opponent to fold a hand that they would call a single bet with.

Some players find nothing more satisfying in poker than winning a hand by bluffing. Usually when you bluff, it should be about the size of the pot. Sometimes you might decide to bluff with a draw such as a flush draw, which would actually be semi-bluffing. We call this type of bluff a semi-bluff because you are bluffing about the strength of your hand at the moment of your bet, but you are also betting the value of the draw you have. It’s a bluff, but not really.

By the way, this sets up a play where you can actually get a free card later if you’re called in the hand, but we’ll talk about that play later.

Many factors come into play when you decide to bluff. Ask yourself these questions:
  • Is your opponent tight?
  • Is he afraid of going broke?
  • What kind of hand would they have to have to call me?
  • Did they miss the flop?
  • What kind of draw could they have?


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