Your Bluffs aren't Working

Your bluffs aren't working.

Either your bets are too small, or you're bluffing too often.

Only half of your bluffs are going to work under the best of circumstances. Against a single player or two.

But at least one person is calling ALL of your bluffs. Sometimes more.

What about when the WHOLE table calls your raise. Well first of all, what are you thinking, trying to bluff the whole table? It's nearly impossible!

Sure, the player with a bankroll the size of Kansas can sometimes pull it off. Not you.

I find hope springs eternal, especially in play-money games.

In fact, placing a medium size bet often encourages other players to stay, to call, because the pot odds improve dramatically when everybody does.

Most players are willing to endure a little pain if there's even a CHANCE they could hit two pairs, get trips, complete a straight, flush, whatever.

You have to make the pain of calling your bluff excruciating for them to even try. That's right, excruciating.

Are you trying to bluff the entire table? Won't work. Are scare cards showing? If not, it won't work. Has everyone shown weakness, the betting checked around or only a small bet thrown out?

Beware the slow-player. Not just the player you've seen slow-playing trips, but the player who pauses a long time before checking. The alternative to checking isn't folding, it's raising. So in a check-around, someone who pauses a long time may be slowplaying good cards.

If you're gonna bluff, bet like you've got the scare cards and are ready to collect a high toll from anyone foolish enough not to fold.

Timid bluffing doesn't work.