Bluffing Is Real
Blurring the line between real and fake can help a savvy player steal some pots
In poker, investing and life, things are not always as they appear. In poker, it’s often because of bluffing.
Most poker players, especially those who frequent small-stakes cash games and tournaments, think the optimal winning strategy is rigid, tight and aggressive. They win most pots that belong to them, plus a few more when their opponents play poorly. This strategy keeps variance low and provides an edge, but that edge remains consistently small.
Against opponents who aren’t world-class—which includes nearly everyone—a player will win significantly more money by playing in a manner that exploits suboptimal tendencies. That usually means getting...
