Can you make money without bluffing?

most definitely. lots of times before a game, I set the standards for the cards that i will play. usually just A10 or above. that usually pays off, if you just play conservative.

I know someone made mention of this before, but I think it's a point that should be greatly emphasized... Action Dan Harrington probably has the best poker instinct and now reputation in the world. Most if not all poker players have watched Harrington's back to back final table appearences now with awe. If anyone was to play against Dan, it would be so incredibly tough to get the right read on him. There's no sure way to know whether he's a making a strong raise with KK and living up to his Action Dan nickname, or pushing it all in 26 like he did in 2004 to scare out hands such as AQ, KJ, and 99.
For me, this is the ultimate in poker. This is how you want to build yourself up to. If your opponents and even your friends can't get a consistent feel for the way you're betting and playing - you'll be all the more effective and have an awesome chance of winning. Throwing your opponents off and switching gears was so effective for Harrington and is my ideal persona for my reputation. (i have done that with my friends haha)

I think that bluff is a part of tourney game, but is not really a good way for winning in traditional hold'em. I usually play in freeroll or in low buy-in tourney and what I learned is that it's not a good idea to bluff in the first hour or so because somme newbies will call with any pair over Jack. It's not a good idea to bluff when you are close to the death because the players will see it come. You really have to know that others player aren't stupid. You can't have a so good hand everytime you must have it. I think you have to bluff just before the tilt.

It's definely part of the game, and if you use it right it will win you money some of the time. It's just knowing when and how. I think it is possible to win money without bluffing it's going to take longer but in the long run it might end up saving you some money...

Just a small side note. Harrington's bluff was a reraise with 62 after one player made a small raise with K9 and another player called with A2. A third player then decided to fold his AQ to a raise and a reraise by a tight player. Also, I would like to point out, that Harrington's raise was not an all-in, so it suggested he wanted players to call. Great play Action Dan Harrington.

Bluffing is something that you shouldn't try to do all the time. You should try to bluff if you are almost positive that the guy you are playing with doesn't have te highest hand possible after looking at the flop, turn, and river. But only bluff sparingly. You don't want to try to bluff, only to find out that the other guy has the best hand possible on the board.

a few times when its late at night i'll be reading a book while playing and i will only play the hands that i know i will win. it makes money but takes alot of pacents so my sujestion for not bluffing is have something to occupie you while your waiting for your hand.

in normal plays i bluff with out a doubt it is part of the game and shouldent be left out. i would say that in tourney play you defidently cant factor out the bluff as a game stradagy you need it to make it. heads up play is another one were all it is is a bunch of bluffs. most of the time the winner ushaly only has a low pair or a high card ace or what not.

in short, dont factor out the bluff. its like playing base ball without a bat. sometimes you hit a good one sometimes you strike out. good luck

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"Drum machines have no soul!"

Bluffing has worked pretty good for me, but I am not one to always bluff. I have noticed alot of players do bluff alot since they don't show there cards.

I think in general there's little need to bluff at the lower limits. In fact it's probably a negative EV because many players at 2/4 and below will call you down with middle pair, bottom pair and even ace high.

As you move up the limits it's an essential tool to learn. However, the main thing to remember is not to do it too often. You have to pick the right times to do it.

I tend not to 100% bluff very often but I will semi bluff quite a lot. For example, the flop is:



and I've got

I've got nothing at the moment but I will bet out or raise this flop with my open ended straight draw, back door nut flush and over card. At the lower limits people tend to just check call their draws which can be wrong. For example, when I bet this flop depending on my position and how many opponents in the hand I may win the pot there and then and not have to hope I hit something. Always also remember that some of your cards may be counterfieted. If an Ace comes I will have top pair but someone else may hit 2 pair with that ace.