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First up, what is bluffing? Bluffing is when you make it appear to other players that you have a strong hand when in fact your hand is poor. In reality you can actually bluff when you still have a chance of winning but most bluffing consists of a poor hand and nerves of steel.

Bluffing is an important part of poker and, if done well, can pay dividends and gain you the reputation as a bit of a shark. The most important part of bluffing is knowing when to bluff and when not to bluff. Below are the top 10 reasons NOT to bluff.

1. The first reason is the most obvious reason. There is a reasonable chance you will lose and in some cases lose big. Bluffs can spiral out of control quickly so you need to know when to call it quits and fold. Always play with your head and not your emotions ' this is very important for all aspects of poker.
2. If you have just been caught out bluffing then don't do it for a while. Firstly people will be expecting it but secondly if you're playing with players of a reasonable standard then there is a good chance that they will have spotted some tell tale signs that you gave off. They will take note of these and will pick up on them next time.
3. Don't bluff against a lot of players. The more players you are bluffing against the more chance there is that you will be beaten by a better hand.
4. If you are playing with aggressive players then be very wary of bluffing as you are likely to be caught out ' an aggressive player will force you all the way to your limit.
5. In addition to number four never bluff (big) against players whose skill levels and style you are unsure of. Always wait several rounds with new players so as to assess them fully and to observe how they play.
6. Bluffing can become a habit and a bad one at that make sure you think carefully before your bluff and pay as much attention to all the available cards as you can. Bluffing, in itself, can become addictive so be careful.
7. This one is especially for newer players; don't bluff for the sake of bluffing. Everyone knows that bluffing is a big part of the game but don't do it just because you think you should. Weigh up the risks before you go all in.
8. Bluffing can lead to you putting in excessive amounts of chips to cover the short comings of your hand. Be very wary of this and pay attention to the amount of chips you are wagering ' don't go crazy.
9. Never bluff if you are a 'bad bluffer'. Some people cannot bluff well and give off all sorts of signs. If you think you're going to start shaking or giggling or anything else obvious then don't even attempt bluffing.
10. Avoid bluffing in low limit games

These are 10 of the most basic reasons not to bluff, however there are many more. The main thing to remember that bluffing is an additional risk to your gambling, never gamble with money you can't afford to lose.

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