Every player would know that bluffing is an integral part of poker. If the bets had always been related to the strength of the cards only then poker would really not have been a mysterious or fascinating game. For this reason one of the most important generic poker strategy is bluffing. Bluffing in cash games is a very powerful weapon, especially in the no limit games. When you risk your stack you would also be testing your opponent by forcing them to call to your sizeable bet with a hand that might not even be a strong one.
Generic poker strategy for bluffing- know your opponents
If you want to be effective you will have to also learn more about your Poker Star opponents. When you bluff big you would usually be against only a single opponent since it is rare for a lot of players to raise or call. Your impression of the opponent would be very crucial if you want to pull it off. If you have seen the opponent with middle pairs at showdown or with worse cards then you should not really bluff him. If he is someone who loves raising then you should not even try bluffing in the first place. Bluff when you are against tight aggressive or tight weak players.
Generic poker strategy for bluffing- read betting patterns
Betting patterns are the best way to read opponents, even more so if you are playing online where there are no physical tells to depend on. When you are planning to steal the pot on flop, turn or the river, check if the opponents’ bets seem to indicate any weakness. If a player makes very tiny bets in comparison to the pot, checks on the turn, leads out on the flop or makes a very weak call then you can easily take advantage of the situation by bluffing big.
Generic poker strategy for bluffing- your bluff should fit your play
Bluffing will only be effective if your PKR opponents buy it. If you bluff in a way that would be easily readable to others, you would have no advantage. For this reason, it would be important that when you bluff it should fit in to your betting patterns and style of play and it should even fit in with the way the hand has played out. Only then it would make any sense.
Generic poker strategy for bluffing- bluff confidently
Finally, if you have decided to be a little restless and make a big bluff, bluff confidently. You will need a lot of confidence to throw in a big bet or a raise so it would be best for you to do it like you mean it. If you bet small or raise small on FullTilt, your opponents would want to stay in the game and check out how the hand plays out so it would be necessary for you to bet big and bluff confidently.