Chance Kornuth’s Advice on Overcoming the Fear of Being Bluffed

Why You Shouldn’t Fear Being Bluffed

Chance Kornuth believes that fearing opponents’ bluffs is a significant leak for many poker players and often leads to poor decisions:

“The fear of being bluffed makes you hesitate, second-guess yourself, and call with hands you should be folding. It makes [players] flush money down the toilet as they keep calling in spots that are under-bluffed by the population.”

Kornuth emphasizes that players mistakenly view getting bluffed as a personal failure when, in reality, it is simply part of the game:

“Here’s the truth: getting bluffed is a part of the game. Just as you need to bluff to keep your opponents on edge, you must also get bluffed to ensure you’re folding enough.
Hint: If you never get bluffed, you’re probably a calling station!“

The key takeaway for any player aiming for long-term success is to shift their mindset. Instead of obsessing over avoiding bluffs, they should focus on making sound, process-oriented decisions.

To help players develop this mindset, Kornuth suggests asking yourself four crucial questions:

1. Does my hand have the right properties to call?
2. What does my perceived range look like?
3. Is my opponent capable of finding bluffs in this spot?
4. Does my opponent’s range justify a call?

He highlights that answering these questions matters more than the outcome of any single hand:

“Good poker isn’t about obsessing over avoiding mistakes. It’s about making informed decisions consistently.“

Kornuth also advises players to imagine what it feels like to play without fear:

• Greater confidence in decision-making
• Less emotional turmoil when shown a bluff
• A stronger, process-focused mindset and strategy

In essence, focus on playing intelligently, not fearfully, and avoid using illogical measures to assess your skills:

“Remember: You’ll get bluffed sometimes, and that’s okay. It doesn’t mean you’re playing poorly.”

To see how Kornuth handles bluffs himself, check out this memorable hand from the 2023 WSOP:

Other Bluffing Tips from Chance Kornuth

Since Kornuth frequently shares advice on X, here are a few additional tips for players looking to master the art of bluffing.

1. Make High-IQ Moves

• Low-IQ move: Memorizing solver outputs and randomly making a 25% hero call with a marginal bluff-catcher.
• High-IQ move: Just fold. Most players don’t bluff the river often enough—they usually have the goods.

2. Don’t Avoid Bluffs

Regret feels worse than failure. Pull the trigger on that bluff!

If your opponents under-bluff on the turn, call wider on the flop and overfold on the turn when they continue betting.

3. Stay Aggressive

If anyone tells you that you’re too aggressive, bluff too often, or make wild plays, take it as a compliment.

You’re on the right path. With the right coaching, you’ll become a nightmare at the table.

4. Assess Opponents Fairly

We tend to assume others play the way we do.

• Players who bluff frequently believe others are always bluffing.
• Tight players are more likely to hero-fold.

5. Mind Your Behavior

There are a few things you should never do at the poker table:

• Bluff the drunk guy.
• Say, “Nice hand” after winning.
• Tank before even looking at your hand.
• Ask, “Will you show me if I fold?”