Online Bluffing

[Hogpile]

Was just wondering if some of the more advanced players here had some tips(without necessarily giving away your style/secrets) for what works and what doesn't when it comes to bluffing online. I could be wrong, but bluffing seems to not work well at all online, because there are so many loose or poor players that will call anything, even if it's low pair/no pair on the board, hoping to fish something out of the turn and river.

Lately, I've really been experimenting with my game, trying out bluffing techniques, switching up styles, etc, trying to find a good balance between playing nice and tight, and knowing when to let it swing in the wind a little. I havent been making any money as of late, really just breaking even, but I figure that this tinkering will pay off eventually, if I learn some good moves. Any tips/advice, etc on what you've noticed about online bluffing would be interesting and appreciated.

I don't post here very often, and this is my first thread, so please forgive the repetition, if this has been posted before.

Thanks, and GL at the tables

[heraclitus V]

bluff with as few players in the hand as possible

bluff from button and blinds

don't bluff early when the pots are tiny

establish that you only play good hands by playing tight and showing good hands when opponents fold

don't show opponents when you bluff unless you are setting the table for playing a strong hand later

[Swamix40]

Before you attempt to bluff online take the time to learn who the loose players on the table are and avoid them. They'll eventually bust each other out. Also don't be in an obvious drawing situation. If there are two hearts on the flop and you are only calling raises. then your opponent has an easy read on you. If you bluff now they'll bag you. On the other hand if your on a str8 draw and 3 of the same suit hits the board, it's an excellent time to bluff as your opponent certainly will put you on the flush draw and fold out. Bluffs work best for me with smaller pots when the other players don't have much invested. Winning several of these an hour really helps you to stay on draws later and take out your opponents. Also make sure when you bluff you do it with a large raise. I have had several players mad at me because I drew out on them when they only bet "affordable" raises. Good luck at the tables.

Shawn

[Hogpile]

Thanks to both of you for your response. Is it just me though, or is bluffing not what it used to be? Seems like folks will call just about any raise nowadays, hoping for luck on the turn and river.

Good tips from both of you, thanks again.

[chkraiz]

just keep this in mind, never try to bluff a bad player.... they will call
i always try to keep my bluffs to a minimum... and usually only when there's 3 or less people in a pot...seems to work for me

[bailey12345x]

how the heck do u bluff online? its unbelievable. one time during a freeroll
( yeah w/e) i was bluffin with Q/10 board read something like J,J,4,2,3 or something, anyway i bet like 3/4 of my stack( me and this one dude are about equal in chips) and he calls. he flips over K/A. unbelievable :sick: :sick: :gobble: :dj: :spam:

[xSuper_Mario]

how the heck do u bluff online? its unbelievable. one time during a freeroll
( yeah w/e) i was bluffin with Q/10 board read something like J,J,4,2,3 or something, anyway i bet like 3/4 of my stack( me and this one dude are about equal in chips) and he calls. he flips over K/A. unbelievable :sick: :sick: :gobble: :dj: :spam:

That is unbelieveable, but he just may have known you were bluffing. If you didn't bet until the river, and it would look as if you might have over bet, that he probably smelled your bluff ;) .

[mrstacey]

Weak players put too much stock on drawing hands like AK even if they don't hit their draw. They also may be used to home games with 4-6 people where A high wins alot more often. I try not to bluff the first 2 levels of a tournament, and if its a free roll probably not for a good 30-45 minutes. Also, weak players get blinders on when they hit top pair, and they are oblivious to possible straights and flushes, so they pretty much call at will.

I would never bet 3/4 of my stack on a stone cold bluff, its basicly a lose lose situation. If he has you beat, hes gonna call and you lose alot, but if he folds you don't gain very much. Its not a good risk. The stone cold bluff should be only just enough to get him to fold if he has nothing. That way if he calls you don't lose enough to cripple you.

[mccaffo73]

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[proteinXx]

Watch out for the multi calls and chip dumping if the TBers are at the table too. ;)

-proX

[mccaffo73]

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[Desertrex66]

I like to set up my bluff with a preflop raise. especially when I'm on the button. a lot of times the blinds will call so they wont lose them and when the check the flop, i steal the pot with a strong bet.

[mccaffo73]

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[x searcher]

If you are playing against a bunch of calling stations there is no need to bluff. Just bet for value and win your money the easy way.