I have made the claim that there are only two fundamental reasons to bet:
- We can bet for value (the subject of my last column)
- We can bet as a bluff (the subject of this column)
Both reasons boil down to the simple requirement that we should always make our highest expected value (EV) play.
The Second Fundamental Reason to Bet: As a Bluff
We don't always need the best hand in order to win the pot. We can sometimes win with an inferior hand if our opponent will fold too often to a bet.