Bluffing in online poker is an art form, just as it is in the live variation of the game.  While some may argue that bluffing is easier to do when playing poker online, the truth is that bluffing is not something the weak hearted can do easily.  By understanding the art of bluffing and looking at it from the proper point of view, one can master the concept of bluffing in online poker.

Bluffing is a necessary part of a player’s poker game.  If a player does not bluff, opposing poker players will quickly adjust their tactics and get out of the way when the player bets at a pot because the player will not bet unless he “has it.”  This would hurt a poker player because he would rarely, if ever, get any sort of value out of his hand because the other players would fold to his bet, considering the only time he bets is when he has the best hand.  By throwing a bluff into your bag of tricks, players will get action when they have the best hand.  Additionally, there are instances that the only way to win a pot is to bluff at it.  This stands true in instances such as missing a draw on the river.  The player’s only chance at winning the pot is to bluff at it.

In order to bluff properly in online poker, the bluff must tell a story.  When opposing players put together the betting sequence of the hand, they try to use the information to determine what holdings you could possibly have, using the information of the bets and calls to narrow down the hand range.  A proper bluff will paint a picture that the opposition is beat.  In order to run a proper bluff in online poker, one should play the hand as if they “have it,” which will suggest to the opposing online poker player that they are beat and should lay down their hand.  By forcing the villain to lay down their hand, the bluffing online poker player wins the hand.  However, it is not the end of the world if the opposition makes the call, especially in a ring game online.  If the villain calls the bluff, then they have discovered that you are bluff capable.  The rest of the table surely grasps this important fact as well.  Consequently, because you were caught bluffing in online poker, anyone who experienced this bluff will now know that you are willing and capable of making a bluff.  Thus, they are now more likely to call your value bets and over bets, which means you will likely get paid on your good hands down the road!