How to Bluff in Poker

Poker is a card game where players make bets based on the relative strengths of their hands. While luck plays a significant role in winning any particular hand, skilled players can improve their long-term expectation of winning by making strategic decisions based on probability, psychology, and game theory.

Before a hand begins, one or more players are required to place forced bets (usually the small and big blind). The dealer then shuffles the cards, deals them out in a single round, beginning with the player on their left, and then collects all bets in a central pot.

Players then play their hands. A high pair, a straight, or a flush wins the pot. A player can bluff by pretending that they have a better hand than they actually do, but doing so successfully requires careful timing. The best times to bluff are when other players appear to have pairs or two-pair hands, when the board shows a key community card, and when the player in position acts first.

Each time you play poker, your actions — especially folds, calls, and raises — give away information about the strength of your hand to your opponents. By varying your action, you can disguise your hand strength and confuse your opponents, which will help you win more often. You can also practice by observing more experienced players to develop quick instincts at the table.