How to spot a bluff playing online poker?

Dejange

Dejange

CC Delija
Loyaler
Joined
Dec 1, 2013
Total posts
10,435
Awards
22
BG
Chips
552
I agree with some basics already shared above:
- Size of raise - everything out of standard size could be a bluff. Contrary - continuation bet could appear a Tripple Barrel in the end, and these are the most hard to dettect (usually happens when a crucial pot size is created on the table or near the bubble of MTT);
- Pot size - better not try to catch a bluff when it is matter of small pot size;
- Stack sizes - those with less BB's left are keen to shove with any speculative pocket hands;
- Pot cards - search for logic when the community cards appear on board. If A or K appears, then maybe the Villian's raise is not a bluff and we should carefully evaluate our chances to win that particular hand. Same appears if there is a pair on flop or 3 cards of same color.

Generally, I am observing carefully all stated above, in situations when I am considering to bluff :p
 
G

gloria_marga

Rock Star
Platinum Level
Joined
Jan 11, 2025
Total posts
124
AR
Chips
105
You have to pay attention to the table and thus know how your rivals play. But it's usually called bluffing when the bet implies that you don't want to pay.
 
Dejange

Dejange

CC Delija
Loyaler
Joined
Dec 1, 2013
Total posts
10,435
Awards
22
BG
Chips
552
You have to pay attention to the table and thus know how your rivals play. But it's usually called bluffing when the bet implies that you don't want to pay.
Look out for the next CC League Team sign up thread, I will choose you
 
oriole

oriole

Visionary
Platinum Level
Joined
Apr 20, 2017
Total posts
670
Awards
9
LV
Chips
121
You can spot a bluff by watching for signs like nervous behavior, inconsistent stories, or someone trying too hard to convince you. Trust your instincts if something feels off.
 
Mazembe

Mazembe

Rock Star
Platinum Level
Joined
Aug 7, 2024
Total posts
176
NA
Chips
223
Can you
How do you spot a bluff??I don't think there is that one go to tell that shows you, I believe it's about the story your opponent is trying to tell, what he's representive. Blufffs are highly possible when there a lre missed flushes and missed straight draw
 
dreamer13

dreamer13

Legend
Platinum Level
Joined
Mar 18, 2022
Total posts
4,064
Awards
2
LV
Chips
919
The opponent's actions are too fast and the raising frequency on the flop exceeds 20%.
 
okeedokalee

okeedokalee

Glory To Ukraine
Loyaler
Joined
Feb 3, 2008
Total posts
5,812
Awards
22
NZ
Chips
1,309
Usually, loose or splashy competitors are just that, call them with one pair or better.
Tight players usually have a hand and seldom bluff.
Players online are less likely to be bluffing, so your bluff catchers won't hold up.
 
kecoakbogor

kecoakbogor

Rock Star
Platinum Level
Joined
Jan 3, 2025
Total posts
119
ID
Chips
116
@kad222 wait for the moment and pushback all in, we lose small bet but win big bet :D
 
eetenor

eetenor

Legend
Loyaler
Joined
Mar 5, 2019
Total posts
2,475
Awards
2
Chips
472
By spotting bluffs you mean knowing it is a bluff and not value is not easy. What you want to do to start is look for spots that could be bluff spots or value and then apply all the data you have to decide if your V have enough bluffs for you to call.

Why enough? If your V bluffs all -in on the river only 5% of the time and it is a pot or greater size then we do not have the pot odds to call. So, they get wo win. Which is fine.

If you V is bluffing 25% of the time or more or is so unskilled that their bluff rates in certain spots are over 50% of the time, then we want to call that player type.

A good study exercise is to look for bluff frequencies of a player pool using a hand tracker or by making notes ourselves

:unsure::geek:
 
celinhanicolau

celinhanicolau

Rock Star
Bronze Level
Joined
Aug 2, 2016
Total posts
187
Awards
1
BR
Chips
173
Generally the cebet is the first content that players study and it is one of the most profitable tools in poker (keep betting flop) pay attention to this point in relation to the player's position and the board and try to identify if it connects with your opponent and gain an advantage over i
 
rdwr33

rdwr33

Legend
Platinum Level
Joined
Nov 14, 2016
Total posts
1,143
Awards
3
BR
Chips
367
For you to start identifying a bluff, you need to observe your poker opponent closely. I'm really bad at this myself, most of the time I take my chances.
 
Kashmir

Kashmir

Enthusiast
Silver Level
Joined
Dec 8, 2020
Total posts
68
CA
Chips
358
Bluffs only works when you have more than enough chips then another player. I feel that I bust out to many times trying to steal in position with not enough chips to stay alive.
 
R

rufininha14

Rock Star
Platinum Level
Joined
Jan 4, 2024
Total posts
332
BR
Chips
306
I think analyzing the player's moves and seeing how he plays is the only way to get an idea.
 
Rachidao

Rachidao

Visionary
Platinum Level
Joined
Jan 17, 2022
Total posts
726
Awards
1
BR
Chips
492
I don't use any software to play but they give you very nice hints. If you don't use them like me, observation is the key.
 
nichtozhestvo

nichtozhestvo

Enthusiast
Bronze Level
Joined
Dec 25, 2024
Total posts
34
UA
Chips
58
depends on the structure of the board and the actions of the opponent on each street.
 
M

mssmotilda

Visionary
Platinum Level
Joined
Oct 1, 2020
Total posts
645
Awards
1
Chips
375
I think that everything will come with experience and a crystal ball will not be needed.:)
 
lauestla

lauestla

Legend
Platinum Level
Joined
Feb 6, 2021
Total posts
1,722
Awards
4
Chips
368
It's sometimes tough to spot a bluff when you don't know your opponent. But one sign is that if he bets very strong (or shove) post flop, then maybe he doesn't want you to call.
Fortunately, it can be easier to spot bluffs from players you face every week, and some like bluffing a lot... no no no I am not targeting anyone :ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO::LOL:
 
monkeytilter

monkeytilter

Visionary
Platinum Level
Joined
Apr 12, 2020
Total posts
571
Chips
234
There is no magic method to bluff catching but a good first step is to watch a hand where you have seen the villain get caught bluffing. Cheapest way of doing this is watching someone else bluff catch them - so keep watching the hands you aren't involved in! Another way is to just call with a decent bluff catcher yourself if the pot relatively small - the pay off in information and winning chips in future spots can be massive if you can adjust correctly.

After this you'll know:
they are capable of bluffing;
what circumstance they bluff in (e.g. getting to river with a missed flush draw);;
what betting pattern they used in the bluff (e.g. leads for 2X pot on river)

You'll want to take a succinct and clear your note on the villain summarising their bluff behaviours so you can quickly factor that into your thinking when deciding on a bluff catching spot in the future.
 
thetick33

thetick33

Legend
Loyaler
Joined
Dec 8, 2012
Total posts
2,791
Awards
6
US
Chips
873
logic, reasoning, gut instincts and you learn all three as well as you can and pay attention...Basically if it doesnt make sense sometimes you simply have to pull the trigger...it can be an expensive habit hero calling though...>So that is part of the logic and reasonings is it worth catching this person in short or long run or avoiding doing your thing letting them beat self? This is when you become great by knowing when to simply let it go cause yep makes sense and you realize your the better player so odds will be you can go further....Hero calling is tough we all get caught up in it....I can name 8 to 10 times I wish had not hero called....Some caught some didnt but asking self did I really need to? How much did hurt stack chasing ghosts?
 
Acechador

Acechador

Visionary
Platinum Level
Joined
Jul 27, 2014
Total posts
715
Awards
2
EC
Chips
393
Spotting a bluff in online poker requires observing patterns, such as sudden overbets, inconsistent betting relative to board texture, or timing tells (e.g., unusually quick or delayed actions). Combine these with prior player tendencies for a more accurate read.
 
ninocabral

ninocabral

Visionary
Platinum Level
Joined
Feb 9, 2021
Total posts
661
Awards
1
Chips
303
It depends on each player you are playing if you notice anything different in their game and where they are bluffing but it is not so easy to catch a bluff if you are starting out
 
B

besttest11

Rock Star
Platinum Level
Joined
Nov 24, 2024
Total posts
330
IN
Chips
178
You can easlily spot it after 5- 10 hands. if he keep on raising every hand.
 
steve01991

steve01991

Legend
Loyaler
Joined
Jan 17, 2015
Total posts
1,743
Awards
5
Chips
164
when you have the nuts, all other players are bluffing!
 
TeUnit

TeUnit

Legend
Loyaler
Joined
Jan 20, 2009
Total posts
5,312
Awards
14
Chips
337
I think the easiest way is to use a HUD and try to figure out if the story they are telling makes sense.

You can look at their VPIP - PFR stat, aggression factor, and cbet %. If you want to get fancy look at their steal stats, went to showdown stats, and their PFR by position.
 
Top