Bluffing and Ego

Its easy to think of yourself as a good poker player when you're winning your share of hands and pulling off an occasional bluff.

In fact, you may be playing better poker when you struggle for 3 hours and manage not to lose every single penny. Every river goes against you, your opponent outranks you on every "tie" hand, and so on.

Don't try and use bluffing to boost your ego. Bluffing is strictly a way to raise your EV. It should be done when it's most likely to succeed.

Unfortunately, that's not when your'e on a downward spiral. It's almost "AS IF" other players can sense your desparation.

When you're struggling it's time to tighten up, tighten up some more, and turn OFF the bluff spigot.

Sure, if a compelling bluffing opportunity arises, you may not be able to resist.

But "I lost every hand except the one I bluffed" isn't a real compliment to your playing ability, is it?

Bluffing is an integral part of poker. Poker is a game. You're not a better player than the guy who sits there and grinds away and only plays nuts hands. At least not if his stack is bigger than yours.

Bluff or dont' bluff, but leave the ego somewhere else. Just like greed, it'll undo ya.