Bluffing isn’t always applicable in every Texas Hold ‘Em table. If the guy across you constantly fumbles for his card every time a card is laid, you can say that you can read his actions. But if the guy next to you doesn’t change his expression or doesn’t constantly check his cards, you may be the one being bluffed.
The point here is to bluff only when you see there’s a way to do it. The usual purpose of bluffing is to make an opponent fold. If you have successfully bluffed the guy across you, the guy next to you could be hard to bluff.
If you received a “garbage hand”, a hand which has a very low probability of winning, and maintained it by bluffing, you are exposing yourself to danger zone. Winning with this method is very rare and could not happen to you. If you want to play safe, you have to make yourself an opponent who is very careful with his money but is aggressive when playing a strong hand. You don’t have to be one. You just need the others to think that you are one. If the other opponents know you as someone like that, you can stake high and start your game with bluffs. Just be careful, though. You’ll never know. One opponent in the table may be aware of your plan. Learn how and when to stop bluffing if you want to keep your money.
So how do you know when you have to bluff and when you have to avoid bluffing?
When there are a players who have folded and there are a few remaining on the table, this could be a good time to make the bluff. Have the remaining players to fold. But be warned, this stage is where your opponents may be using the bluff, too. You cannot at all escape their deception and it may be wise for you to fold your cards. The tendency is one could bet a very high stake or even call an all-in. Just play your cards right if you find them worth playing.
When everybody that is on Tilt.org checks, you can do your bluff. The possibility could be is that the players are just hoping they will get something with their cards or they are just waiting for the next card before pulling out their cards. Try the bluff early, after the flop has been drawn. Be consistent with the river. This will make them think you are confident on your cards.
Try bluffing before the flop. When you bet before the flop, this will trigger the others to think that you are holding premium cards. The only downside of this bluff is that you can get all other opponents to fold, thus, making the pot very small. If you want big, learn to be patient and wait.
Finally, learn the “unreadable” methods. Your opponents will tend to study you carefully according to the way you act. If your face lights up when seeing a pair of strong starting cards, you will easily get spotted to being someone who can easily be bluffed. Play in the dark and keep a straight face. Make yourself mysterious.