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How to Spot a Bluff in Poker
Apr 07th, 2008
Jason | 
Many poor players will bluff time and time again in very predictable patterns when playing NL at the lower levels. They will also bluff at calling stations allowing a funnel of chips to the most easily defeated players at the table. This gives a great advantage to observant, patient players.
It’s very common for inexperienced players who have raised pre-flop, to bet on flop regardless of the situation. Though continuation bets (a follow-up flop bet to a pre-flop raise) can be used wisely to a good players advantage, inexperienced players often make them without any strategic thought. Players often get too attached to their high, unpaired cards or medium pairs and refuse to give up these hands, when they should be well aware that they are probably behind in the hand if there is significant action.
Another very common mistake is that unsophisticated players often feel that by being overly aggressive they become a better player. They don't take into account who they are playing against, or what the current game conditions are; and they immediately try to run over the table. It’s an old poker proverb, “By bluffing a bad player you become one.” And that is exactly what they do.
Taking note of these patterns along with others can be very profitable in small-stakes games. One specific pattern that you will notice happens quite a bit in online games is this:
Inexperienced players will often bluff on the flop after missing it completely, no matter what they have. Sometimes with a mediocre hand (say second pair) you might consider calling a small sized flop bet from a poor player if you have position on him. Many players will always bet at the pot after they have raised pre-flop and then check the turn if their flop bet gets called and they are weak. This can be a good opportunity for you to take down the pot with a bet.
Sometimes this opponent will make one last feeble bluff on the turn before preparing to give up the hand if he gets called. If this poor player makes a turn bet smaller than his flop bet, there is a good chance that he has nothing or is very weak. Most of the time, a raise will take the pot down right there.
It takes time and practice to be able to sense whether a continuation bet means a real hand or not. Observing players and figuring out their betting patterns will make it easier to decide what type of hand they are most likely to have when the flop comes out. It is a matter of instinct, experience, and observation. Master these concepts at the lower levels to build confidence in your reads of your opponents, and you will be one step ahead of most players as you move up the poker ranks.
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