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Poker Strategy: 5 Tips for Spotting a Bluff
Haven’t we all been there? We are sitting behind a player that keeps raking in the pots left and right. After the first couple times you think to yourself, “WOW, this person must be pretty good!” After a few more pots won you’re thinking, “Man, this person must be catching some killer cards tonight.” After this continues for a while you’re thinking, “Okay, this is getting ridiculous!! This person is raising my blinds every time. Something has got to be up. Am I getting bluffed here?” Well, you’re probably right! Here are five tips to sniff out a bluff at your next poker night.
Tip#1 - Body Language
Concentrate on your opponent’s body language. What do they do after they bet or raise. We have all heard the saying, “People that act weak and really strong and people that act strong are really weak.” Try to notice the subtle things that the person does. Do they bet and then stare you down. Weak. Do they bet and then sit back in their chairs. Strong.
Tip #2 - Betting history
Remember as much about an opponent’s betting history as possible. This information can be a key element in catching a bluffer. Does the opponent always raise when a certain person is big blind, in essence trying to bully this person? Does your opponent raise every time they have an ace, no matter what the second card is? How is this person betting their pocket pairs? Do they try to force people to fold when they are on a draw?
Tip #3 – Probe for Information
This tip takes some time to perfect. You have probably seen this on TV plenty of times. One player raises another and then the interrogation starts. “So what do you have over there buddy? You got kings? You didn’t raise pre flop so I doubt that. What do you got queen king, something like that?” A veteran knows not to say a word because even in trying to throw off the opponent, inadvertently something may tip the opponent off that there may be some bluffing going on. So ask as many questions as possible. Try to get information about your opponent’s play through body language or even the pitch in their voice. You may be surprised that your opponent may give away vital information even if they don’t say a word.
Tip #4 - Pay to See a Hand
In the world of poker information is key. Every once in a while if you feel like you are being bluffed out of your money, pay to see the bluffers hand. This may be hard to do if you really feel like your going to be beat but in the end it is definitely worth it. Once the cards are turns over you must remember how the whole hand was played. “Okay, I was re-raised pre flop, re-raised again on the river, the turn was checked and the river was checked. But you had Q9 offsuit!” This information might help you out in the later stages of the game.
Tip #5 – Catch’em on Tilt
A player “on tilt” means that they caught a really bad beat on the previous hand and they are visible shaken and extremely angry. Normally this player will play just about whatever the next hand that is dealt, within reason of course, and usually play this hand out of control. If you catch a player while they are on tilt usually you can catch them bluffing.
If you follow these five simple tips and you will be well on your way to spotting a bluffer at your next home game.
Nigel B. is a poker consultant for Signature Poker. Find great Poker Chips for you next home game at http://www.signaturepoker.com
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