How to Bluff in Poker

Poker is a card game where players place bets (representing money) into the pot at the end of each betting round. The highest-ranking hand at the end wins the pot. The rules of the game can vary, but most games involve a fixed number of cards and a fixed amount of betting.

Many players try to mislead others about the value of their hands by bluffing or lying. This can cause people to make impulsive decisions in the heat of the moment, and even the best players can lose if caught in a lie.

A player can say “call” to place a bet equal to the last player’s raise or initial bet when it is his turn. He can also say “check” to pass on his turn and allow the next player to act. If the player does not call or check, he folds his cards and the hand ends.

Practice and watch experienced players to develop quick instincts. Learn to read other players’ betting patterns and identify conservative and aggressive types of play. For example, conservative players fold early and tend to avoid high betting. Aggressive players are risk-takers and often place big bets early in a hand before seeing how their opponents react. Both of these player types can be bluffed into folding by more confident players. The more you know about the game, the better you will be at reading your opponents and maximizing your profit.