Syndi N Poker: TEXAS "Holdem" STYLE

Most novice seem to think that you have to ALWAYS bluff in poker to win. They see it a hundred times on the World Series of Poker or any other poker show on ESPN. Of course TV is going to highlight the spectacular moves. So naturally one might see a lot of bluffing. What one might NOT realize is that there are steps to bluffing. One simply can't just decide to bluff on the river and not get called on it. Here are a few things that help me succeed at a bluff...

Once I look at my hole cards, I determine how I will play that hand. Will I slow play, push other players off, bluff, etc... For this articles purposes, I will plan on the bluff. More than likely, I have crap starting cards and I will plan on betting no matter what comes out on the flop. If rags comes out or any low card orphans... that will definitely work in my favor. What one needs to realize is that you have to "set-up" a bluff. Once you have started the set-up than one must be prepared for the follow through. Gotta have the guts to follow through on the turn and the river. More times than not, if you bet appropriately (not to much nor to little) one should be successful with the bluff.

One thing you should always keep in mind... BE PREPARED TO FOLD OR BACK OUT OF YOUR BLUFF. There is always a chance that someone has the hand or the nuts and won't back down no matter what your bet. Push your opponent off the hand if they are on a possible draw. Make it hard for them to make the hand. If they call anyway, chances are that you are wasting your money/chips and you should just slow down and see what happens.

To summarize the simple steps to a bluff (according to me):

1. Plan to bluff once you see your hole cards
2. Set-up the bluff from the hole cards and flop
3. ALWAYS follow through on the turn and river
4. Be prepared to fold if necessary