What does Bluff mean in poker?

In poker, a Bluff is a bet or raise made with a weak hand when the player is trying to make an opponent fold a better one. The idea is not about the strength of the hand itself, but about convincing the other player to give up the pot.

How does Bluff work?

A player shows aggression at a moment when the opponent may not want to continue in the hand. A bluff can be small or large, used once or carried across several streets. Its strength depends not only on the bet size, but also on position, board texture, action history, and the player’s table image. If the spot is chosen well, the opponent folds a stronger hand and the pot goes to the bluffer.

Bluffing is a normal part of poker. Without it, the game would be far too straightforward. But a bad bluff quickly turns into an expensive mistake. If a player bluffs without understanding the situation, opponents will start picking it off. That is why a bluff is only useful when there is logic behind it, not just the urge to force the hand through at any cost.