Professionals Bluff Less Than You Think

In the poker world, many amateurs believe professional players bluff constantly. However, Alex Fitzgerald, who has been teaching players for 20 years, says this perception is largely wrong. According to Fitzgerald, situations where professionals use a fourth-street bluff make up only a small part of their hands.

According to Fitzgerald's observations, the real problem is that players are too passive. Most people hesitate to raise with medium-strength hands and instead just call and continue. This approach leads to playing a hand without knowing its strength once the flop comes.

Fitzgerald also refers to his own tournament experience. Recently he reached the final table of a guaranteed one-million-dollar online tournament and kept his raise rate at roughly 14 to 15 percent. He says he would be satisfied to see his students at a rate between 11 and 13 percent. He notes that the average player raises with only about 6 to 7 percent of their hands.

The expert says many players practice how to make a fourth-barrel bluff against opponents who raise constantly. However, such opponents are not present at most tables. Even a raise rate of 14 percent mostly consists of hands with reasonable value after the flop. If you are out of position, simply tightening your opening range a little is enough. Fitzgerald's main point is that what is needed is mature, balanced play, not unnecessary bluffing.