What is Bluff in poker?

A bluff is a deceptive betting action where a player, holding a hand with little or no showdown value, places a bet or raise with the intention of making their opponent fold a superior hand. The success of a bluff hinges on several factors: a believable story portrayed by your betting line, a board texture that supports your narrative, and a read on your opponent that suggests they are capable of folding. Executing well-timed bluffs is a key component of advanced poker strategy, preventing opponents from only paying you off when you have a strong hand.

On a paired board of J♦J♠5♣2♥K♦, you bet big on the river holding only 7♠6♠, hoping your opponent folds their mid-pair.

Bluff (Bluff) belongs to the Strategy side of the game and shows up in almost every hand of Texas Hold'em. If you are just starting out, read the poker rules and the hand rankings first, then come back here. To practise risk-free you can play against our AI right on the site. Ready for a real table? See how to join the club.