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What does it mean to bluff in poker?

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Five playing cards showing a flush in clubs: king, ten, eight, seven, and five of clubs. — poker A poker hand containing five cards of the same suit but not in sequence is called a flush.

In the context of poker, to bluff means to make a bet or raise with a weak hand, intentionally attempting to deceive opponents into believing you hold a stronger hand than you actually do. The goal of a bluff is to force other players to fold their cards, allowing you to win the pot without having to show the best hand.1

Effective bluffing relies on psychological manipulation and the maintenance of a "poker face"—a consistent demeanor that prevents opponents from reading your true intentions through emotions, facial expressions, or body language. Because players often look for "tells" (such as nervous breathing or specific speech patterns) to identify a bluff, skilled players often vary their strategy to remain unpredictable.1

While bluffing is a key element of the game, it is not always successful; in "loose" games where opponents are unlikely to fold, bluffing is often ineffective and can lead to unnecessary losses. Consequently, successful players balance their bluffing with disciplined, "tight" play to ensure they are taken seriously when they eventually hold a strong hand.1