Video:How to Bluff in Poker

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Transcript:How to Bluff in Poker

Facts About Poker

It's poker night and the pot is looking sweet. Your hand, however, is... not. But, you're pretty sure no one else has got a winning hand, either. So, what do you do? To lean on ol' Lady Gaga a moment, it's pu-pu-pu-pu-poker face time. Card games have been around for hundreds of years, but poker didn't originate until much later, around the 18th century. What set poker apart from its ancestors is betting. And, with betting, came bluffing. After all, you didn't want to give away the pot by giving away what was in your hand.

Tips for How to Bluff in Poker

So, you want to bluff your way to winning the pot? Here's your game plan. There are many different versions of poker being played today, with Texas Hold'Em being the most popular. Before you can even think about bluffing, you need to make sure you are thoroughly familiar with the rules of the game you're playing. If you have no idea what you're doing, there's no way you'll be able to figure out what anyone else is doing, either. Although you might want to practice that "land of confusion" look to use as strategy.

Additional Tips for How to Bluff in Poker

Where you are in relation to the dealer is important, especially in Texas Hold'Em. If you're one of the last players to bet, you have the luxury of seeing what everyone else has done. You can study their body language, which will help you make an educated guess at what cards they're holding. If you're the first player to have to raise, call, or fold, you're at a serious disadvantage, especially when trying to bluff. It's a good idea not to bluff too often as you don't want your opponents to catch on. The best bluffs are those where the other players don't even know happened. If you don't have to show your cards at the end of a hand and you've successfully bluffed, hand those cards in face down.

Players tend to have specific ways they react to certain poker plays. Even the best players have some sort of giveaway, or "tell," that lets you know how they feel about a given hand. Pay attention and learn those tell-tale signs.When it comes down to it, Kenny Rogers was right. When you're deciding whether to hold ‘em or fold 'em, just don't let your face give away your cards. Worst case, maybe go for the Phil Laak‚ Unibomber look with shades and a hoodie to keep that air of mystery about your cards. Works for him. I'm Jonathon Stewart with About.com.