Bluff

A bluff in poker is a bet or raise with a hand you believe is likely the weakest, intending to force opponents with better hands to fold. Successful bluffing requires understanding opponent tendencies, board texture, pot size, and your table image. Semi-bluffing involves betting with a hand that's currently behind but has potential to improve (like a flush draw). Bluffing frequency should be balanced — too much and you become predictable; too little and opponents never fold to your bets. Online poker bluffing requires different skills than live poker since you can't read physical tells. Position (acting last) makes bluffing more effective.