ChristineOTrying to figure out how to spot online bluffing? Well you’ve come to the right place.
If you’re new to poker, you might think bluffs are all about physical tells. Well, we’re here to tell you there’s a whole lot more to it than that. And that means if you’re playing somewhere like bet365 (bonus code here if you need it), there are lots of different ways to spot a bluff.
And if you want to try out a bluff yourself (and not get spotted), here’s a guide to bluffing as a newbie…
Spot online bluffing FAQs
Do people bluff more frequently on certain boards?
Yes, they do. If there’s an uninspiring flop, people are very likely to try and steal the blinds. They’ll figure no one will be able to make this 2 of spades, 7 of clubs and 9 of diamonds work for them.
It’s the kind of board that doesn’t have a whole lot of options to make strong hands. So if someone starts coming in strong when the board doesn’t really sing, it’s reason to be suspicious.
Can bet sizes give me an indication someone is bluffing?
They absolutely can. The trick here is to see what the player usually does in other hands. For example, if you’re faced with a value better who tends to stick to 2/3 of the pot, but then suddenly he goes for a pot bet with no clear strong draws on the board, this could be a clear sign he’s bluffing.
Alternatively, if you have an opponent who usually bets her strong hands close to the pot, but is no going around half the pot, this is another signal a bluff could be afoot.
Min betting is another common thing people who are bluffing do. Occasionally, people will min bet with a strong hand as a trap. But inexperienced players often min bet as a soft bluff. It’s not going to cost you a whole lot to test your theory, as long as you have the stack to back you up, so you might as well try force them into folding by 3-betting or call their bluff to get to showdown.
My opponent is playing really fast. Is she bluffing?
If your opponent is betting really fast, this is a super obvious tell. They aren’t thinking about their bet. It’s a pre-planned move. Or at least it certainly seems that way.
Even online, players often have to delay a few seconds while they figure out what the best thing to do. Especially when swinging big bets around. So keep an eye out to see if it looks like your opponent isn’t thinking about their next move.
Will an aggressive player bluff more frequently?
Absolutely. The more aggressive the player, the more likely they will be to bluff a whole lot. It’s because aggressive players hate folding. However, very tight aggressive players are way less likely to bluff. So be cautious when you’re thinking about calling a tight player’s bluff.
Do loose players bluff a lot?
Yes, they do. It’s a numbers game really. Loose players play a whole lot of hands. So that means some of the hands they play are likely to be garbage and they’ll try get away with it by bluffing, at least some of the time.
Does position matter?
If you’re faced with a late position player displaying some telltale signs, this is also a classic position to bluff in. Early position players are less likely to bluff, with the exception of big blinds faced with a whole lot of limping pre-flop. They might decide to steal the blinds with a pre-flop bluff.
NoDepositPoker.co.uk is an affiliate of the brands we promote throughout this site. While we strive to maintain accuracy throughout our content, we do receive compensation for this promotion.
