Everyone recognizes that bluffing is a part of Texas Holdem tournaments and cash games, and that includes online Texas hold’em. However, not everyone knows when and why to bluff. Some players feel that bluffing is more difficult in online Texas holdem since you have no physical tells to let you know when your opponent is weak. Others think bluffing is easier since opponents cannot pick up any tells on you.

When to Bluff in Online Texas hold’em

It is true that the only clues an opponent in a Texas Holdem online game has to whether you may be bluffing is how the hand has played out, how you have played similar hands in the past and how quickly you bet. This is why it is important to bluff at the right time. There are certain situations where bluffing can be more profitable.

Consider Bluffing in Online Texas hold’em When:

You Have a Marginal Hand With Little Showdown Value:

If it’s checked to you on the river and you hold middle pair top kicker, you’re probably better making a small value bet or checking it down than trying to bluff an opponent off the hand. If your opponent has you beat, he is more likely to call and if you are ahead, you’d rather have him call a small bet than run away. Save river bluffs for hands you have absolutely no chance to win in a showdown.

Your Opponent Has Shown Weakness:

If your opponent has checked to you twice, it’s a good time to take a stab at the pot. Sometimes he will be slow playing you, but most often, he will have missed the board. Of course, if you bet every time an opponent checks he will catch on, so use this play consistently, but not every time.

The Board is Consistent With Your Bluff:

If you’ve been check calling a flop with two clubs on it because you have middle pair and your opponent shuts down when another club comes on the river, it may be a good time to bet, since check calling is consistent with a flush draw. On the other hand, if a complete rag comes on the river and you try to make a move, a busted flush draw may be exactly what your opponent puts you on.