Great Tips for Recognising Poker Bluffs

So you have this buddy at work and he invites you over his house for poker night. A real man's night out; some cocktails, cigars, and poker chips ready for the taking! There are just two problems. These guys have been playing with each other for a while and you're inexperienced. You couldn't recognize poker bluffs if they hit you in the face. These guys might be your friends, but one thing you can count on is that they are not going to take it easy on the new guy!

The Basics of Bluffing

• The first thing to remember is that it is more likely that a person is bluffing if there are fewer players in the game. It is easier, and more worthwhile, to bluff with two or three players still around the table than it is when eight are still holding cards. So, be vigilant for poker bluffs always-but especially aware when the competition has dwindled a bit.
• Everyone knows that showing emotion towards cards in poker is a bad thing. People never try to look disappointed when dealt bad cards or let broad grins cross their mug when they have a sweet one. Or, do they? Always be on the lookout for that guy who is bluffs his emotions, especially if you're new to the game. He or she may just be trying to get in your head and make you think hard until you get frustrated and make a bad decision. These are dangerous poker bluffs to get caught in!

Betting Smartly

• Watching how people bet is the number two rule to recognizing poker bluffs. Common sense would tell you that a person who is betting a lot must have a good hand. But this isn't always true! Many good players will under bet just to goad people into the game and keep the pot thick.
• Players with a larger pile of chips in front of them will have more freedom to play around and bet big when they have bad hands. They usually do this in the hope that you will fold under the pressure of a big stake. This is one of the more common poker bluffs and one of the most dangerous to fall for.