How to Bluff in Poker
Poker is a card game in which players place bets on the possibility of making a winning hand. The object of the game is to win the pot, which is the sum of all bets made during one deal. A player’s chances of winning the pot depend on his or her skill at bluffing and reading other players. Although poker involves a significant amount of chance, the majority of a player’s long-run expectations are determined by actions chosen on the basis of probability, psychology and game theory.
When it is your turn to bet you may say “call” or ”I call” to place the same amount as the person before you in chips or cash into the betting pool (pot). You may also say “raise” or ”I raise” to add more money to the pot. If you say “raise,” the other players will be required to either call your new bet or fold.
You have a pair of kings off the deal and you think they are pretty good. Alex checks, Charley calls and Dennis raises. You now have to decide whether to continue playing your hand or fold it.
When you have a strong hand you should bet, forcing weaker hands out of the pot and raising the value of your hand. If you don’t have a strong hand, you should check and fold. You can always try a bluff later on, but it’s important to understand the odds of your hand before you commit any money.