📰 Biggest Bluffs in Poker Tournaments of All Time

Poker is a card game that requires skill and strategy. However, the most important part in professional poker games is psychology. We do not exclude luck, but that is always a trait of the most courageous ones.

One of the most important psychological elements in poker play is bluffing. With bluffs players can win pots with weak hands, or to make their opponents fold better hands. However, to bluff is not easy, as it is risky, deceptive and puts pressure on the bluffing player. But when things go right, it can really bring great wins. If you are interested in playing poker and already know how to bluff, be sure to check this review here of one of the best poker sites online and start your poker winning strike. On the other hand, if you want to learn from the best poker players and their most famous bluffs, then stay a while and learn from the greatests.

Chris Moneymaker’s “Bluff of the Century”

Regarded as one of the most famous bluffs in poker history, Chris Moneymaker, Fact is that Chris was an amateur player who qualified online for the World Series of Poker Main Event, faced off against professional player Sammy Farha in the heads-up final back in 2023. Chris’s hand was really weak, but he was brave and bluffed his way in his all-in after the river card, putting Farha in a tough position. Farha didn’t have a choice, because he had a pair of nines, but he failed to read Chris’s expression. This failure in reading his opponent led him to fold his hand. Hence, Chris won the pot and the title. Poker experts from around the globe consider this “bluff of the century” and the “Moneymaker Effect” because it was epic and led to the “big bang” of poker inspiring millions of people to play poker that never did so professionally.

Phil Ivey’s Double Bluff

This bluff was done by one of the greatest poker players in history – Phil Ivey. He has skills and strategy, but his bluffing is on another level. One of his most remarkable bluffs happened back in 2005, at the Monte Carlo Millions Main Event. His opponent was Paul Jackson in a head to head match. What is interesting about these encounters is that both players had bad hands, but they decided to go with a betting war, raising until they went bazookas with their bets. Ivey betted an astonishing $320,000, putting the pressure on Jackson. But with Jckson, who had a slight edge with a higher card, decided to go even further with a $470,000 bet. His plan was to make Ivey fold. However, it didn’t go as planned, and Ivey went all-in, causing Jackson to fold. Ivey’s double bluff is a definition of how bluffing should be done, with pure guts and confidence.

Isaac Haxton’s Monster Bluff

Another poker legend that has shown pure bluffing class is Isaac Haxton. He is well known for his analytical and aggressive play style. But he is also a really good bluffer. Back in 2007, at the PokerStars Caribbean Adventure Main Event, Isaac showed how the poker game should be played. He was dealt a 5-7 offsuit, and he decided to limp in from the small blind. Ryan Daut, one of his opponents, had a king-queen suited, and decided to raise the big blind. This play was followed with Haxton calling his raise. The flop came 3-6-9, giving Haxton a gutshot straight draw, and he checked. Daut bet, and Haxton called. The turn was a 10, giving Daut a straight, and he bet again. Haxton, who missed his draw, decided to raise all-in, putting Daut in a difficult position. Daut, who feared that Haxton had a higher straight or a flush, reluctantly folded, giving Haxton a huge pot and a chance to continue in the tournament. This shows a pure class from Isaac Haxton, and how he risked everything with a weak hand, but managed to make his opponent fold and win huge cash.

Tom Dwan’s 7-2 Bluff

Known as one of the most fearless and creative poker players in the world, Tom Dwan has pulled off some amazing bluffs in his career. One of his most legendary bluffs happened back in 2009, when he was playing at the Full Tilt Poker Million Dollar Cash Game. His opponents were some of the greats like Phil Ivey, Patrik Antonius, and Mike Matusow. Tom got a 7-2 offsuit in his cards, which is known as the worst hand in poker. But, he had other plans and decided to raise from the button, hoping to steal the blinds. However, he got a response from other players, where Ivey called with( 6-8 suited), and Antonius (with 10-9 suited). The flop came 3-4-10, giving Antonius a pair of tens, and both Ivey and Antonius checked. Tom, who really had nothing in his hands, decided to go big and betted. This was followed by Ivey’s fold and Antonius, who decided to call. Next, came 5, giving Tom a straight draw, and Antonius checked again. And here enters Tom’s brilliance. He sensed weakness, decided to bet again, followed by Antonius’ call. The river was a queen, and Antonius checked for the third time. Tom, thinking courageously, decided to go all-in, putting Antonius in a tough position. This led Antonius, who had a better hand, to fold, giving Dwan a huge cash and earning the respect of all players on the table. Tom’s bluff was a daring and risky move, and we do not see many players attempting what he did often.

Jack Straus’ 7-2 Bluff

Another legendary poker player, Jack Straus, made one of the biggest bluffs in poker history way back in 1982. Known for his charisma and his famous quote: “A chip and a chair” in the early 80’s World Series of Poker Main Event, managed to do the unthinkable and won the title with one big bluff. The cards he held were a 7-2 offsuit, but his strategy was to raise from early position, hoping to steal the blinds. However, as always nothing goes as planned, and he got a call from Dewey Tomko, who was holding a pair of aces, regarded as the best hand in poker. Next, came the flow with 7-3-3, making Straus have a pair of sevens. This inspired him to bet more, while receiving Tomko’s call. Next, the river was a 6, and Straus decided to go all-in, putting Tomko in a tough position. This led forTomko, who had a better hand, to fold, giving Straus a huge pot and a lot of momentum.

To Conclude…

As you saw, bluffing is not that simple. It is an art and a science, and it requires a lot of skill, experience, and a 6th sense. Rewarding as it can be, you’ve read the best ones, and hopefully you can learn their strategies. Now, what is left is to practice that in real life with games and get more experienced from it.