All around the world there are people who enjoy playing poker, whether they’re doing it at a party with friends or playing poker at a tournament face to face or online. The reasons for reaping such enjoyment from the game are myriad. One of the main drivers is the chance to win big money: a player who masters the game can walk away from the table considerably better off than when they first sat down at it. Another is the general thrill of strategizing and the skill involved in playing poker. A third and fourth are the competitive element and opportunity to socialize with others, which, for many, matters more than financial gain.
One of the most important skills in playing poker is the ability to bluff. Below is a look at why and how to tell if another player is bluffing.
The importance of bluffing in poker
Being able to bluff is essential in poker. Not knowing how to forces you to always rely on the cards being in your favor to win the pot. If, however, you do know how to bluff you can develop an edge that makes you harder to play against and less predictable at the table. Even if the cards aren’t going your way, a good poker face can help you turn the game to your advantage and make it profitable.
When playing poker online, it’s much harder to tell when a player is bluffing because you can’t see the other players. This is why internet poker is a good place to start if you’re a beginner. Lots of poker learners build their skills online before visiting a traditional casino where they can play poker face to face in cash games and observe ‘tells’, the signs that someone is bluffing.
Spotting when a player is bluffing.
Just as crucial as being able to bluff in poker is the ability to detect when someone is bluffing. This can help you get an idea of whether a player has a good hand or a bad one and to detect whether the player is weak or strong. Here are some tells to look out for and determine whether a player is bluffing:
The player is tense
Players who have a strong hand often looked relaxed and chat freely. If a player appears stiff shows signs of tension, such as rubbing their neck or keeping their shoulders up, it’s likely to all be an act. Watch out for shaky hands while placing a bet, however. Rather than nervousness, this could indicate they have a strong hand and are excited about placing the bet.
The player looks you straight in the eye
This is a classic acting strong equals weak mannerism employed in poker. When someone is bluffing, they’ll try to appear confident by looking you directly in the eye and maybe even goading you into folding or making a move you don’t intend to. Often, they’re doing it because they’re weak, not strong.
They look away from the flop immediately.
Sometimes players will look away from the flop after it’s been dealt. This creates the impression the cards have made them anxious. They’re trying to look as if they have a weak hand or that they’re a weak player. Don’t fall for it. They likely have a strong hand. If, however, a player carries on looking at the flop after it’s been dealt, this indicates they’re weak because it’s as if they want the cards to change.
Pay attention to where players look when it’s your turn to make a move. If their eyes are almost glued to your stack of chips, it’s likely they’re not bluffing and, because they have a strong hand, are already counting how much of your stash they’re going to add to their own winnings.
The player makes small bets
Some players bet big when they think they have a winning hand but bet smaller when they’re trying to get away with bluffing. Players who observe this betting pattern often become apparent quickly within a game, so keep your eyes peeled for it and use the observation to your advantage.
The player is taking a long time to act or is quickly to act
Pay attention to how much time the player before you take to act. A quick bet is a sign of either a weak hand or a strong one. Betting quickly suggests confidence. If a player has a strong hand, they’ll want to maximize the value of the hand and take their time because they need to calculate the value. Think about what they’re trying to communicate. Strength? Or weakness?
Being able to spot the signs of bluffing in a game is as essential in poker as bluffing itself. Developing this crucial skill can help you hold onto more of your bankroll and also to be more confident when playing and placing your own bets.
