Editing Bluff (poker) (section)

== Optimal bluffing frequency ==

If a player bluffs too infrequently, observant opponents will recognize that the player is betting for [[Value (poker)|value]] and will call with very strong hands or with [[Draw (poker)|drawing]] hands only when they are receiving favorable [[pot odds]]. If a player bluffs too frequently, observant opponents ''snap off'' their bluffs by calling or re-raising. Occasional bluffing disguises not just the hands a player is bluffing with, but also their legitimate hands that opponents may think they may be bluffing with. [[David Sklansky]], in his book ''The Theory of Poker'', states "Mathematically, the optimal bluffing strategy is to bluff in such a way that the chances against your bluffing are identical to the pot odds your opponent is getting."

Optimal bluffing also requires that the bluffs must be performed in such a manner that opponents cannot tell when a player is bluffing or not. To prevent bluffs from occurring in a predictable pattern, [[game theory]] suggests the use of a randomizing agent to determine whether to bluff. For example, a player might use the colors of their hidden cards, the second hand on their watch, or some other unpredictable mechanism to determine whether to bluff.

The purpose of optimal bluffing frequencies is to make the opponent (mathematically) [[Principle of indifference|indifferent]] between calling and folding. Optimal bluffing frequencies are based upon game theory and the [[Nash equilibrium]], and ''assist'' the player using these strategies to become [[unexploitable]]. By bluffing in optimal frequencies, you will typically end up breaking even on your bluffs (in other words, optimal bluffing frequencies ''are not'' meant to generate positive expected value from the bluffs alone). Rather, optimal bluffing frequencies allow you to gain ''more'' value from your value bets, because your opponent is indifferent between calling or folding when you bet (regardless of whether it's a value bet or a bluff bet).<ref name="auto">The Mathematics of Poker, Bill Chen and Jerrod Ankenman</ref>