No Mercy Monday: Tips on Bluffing Part 2

In this strategy series, CoinPoker’s Chief Community Manager and pro poker player Isabelle “No Mercy” Mercier walks you through the basics of the game. Each No Mercy Monday comes with expert advice on how to play,  and it all starts with starting hands.

**

Before the holidays started closing this chapter on bluffing by covering how to induce a bluff and some general tips on mastering the art. As a grand finale, we’ll conclude this series on the art of bluffing with a few more pieces of advice to help you up your game!

More General Tips on Bluffing

Always think before you act in poker. Especially before throwing your chips in the middle of the pot with air! I have added a few more recommendations below that I suggest you keep in mind before attempting to bluff.

[Continued from part one which you can read here]

#5: Remember that the story that you are trying to tell has to make sense

The betting history of the hand is part of a narrative and will lay the foundation of your bluff to come. For example, you typically cannot try to pretend that you are holding 6-4 for a made straight on the river if you have been 4-betting pre-flop. It would not make sense to an observant player.

#6: Look for players with short stacks

Short stacked players will be easier targets than others, and as they are less likely to call and play the police if they risk busting out of the tournament by calling you.

Players tend to be more afraid of bigger stacks, as they can get bullied around and this can be worked to your advantage.”

Similarly, look at your own stack and make sure that you are deep enough to have the luxury of bluffing. Players tend to be more afraid of bigger stacks, as they can get bullied around and this can be worked to your advantage.

#7: Calculate pot size before you attempt to bluff

Remember that it is much easier to bluff at small pots. It is also easier to bluff early in the hand as opposed to bluffing on the river unless it is obvious that your opponent missed his draw. In this case, you could attempt a bluff when you are holding garbage as well.

We’re excited to start an entirely new theme for No Mercy Monday next week. In the meantime don’t forget to join me twice a week in the Hubble Bubble tournaments to practice your skills and try to win my 5000 CHP bounty!

– Isabelle “No Mercy” Mercier