Casino poker games can be a lot of fun and have their own set of tactics and optimal strategy. However, one aspect which cannot be replicated by playing against the dealer is the art of the bluff. Bluffing your opponent is one of the most satisfying/frustrating – delete according to which side of the bluff you are on! – ways to win or lose a hand. And some bluffs have been so audacious that they have made their way into poker folklore.
Here are five of the greatest bluffs of all time that left audiences in awe and opponents stunned.
1. Chris Moneymaker’s Bluff Against Sam Farha (2003 WSOP Main Event)
This is arguably the most famous bluff in poker history, featuring arguably the most famous player. In the heads-up battle of the 2003 World Series of Poker Main Event, Chris Moneymaker, an amateur who qualified through an online satellite, faced off against seasoned pro Sam Farha. Moneymaker had K♠ 7♥, and on a board of 9♦ 2♦ 6♠ 8♠, he fired a bold bluff despite holding nothing. Farha had top pair with J♦ 9♠, yet after intense deliberation, he folded. This bluff set the stage for Moneymaker’s incredible victory and played a part in launching the poker boom of the 2000s.
2. Tom Dwan’s $1.1 Million Bluff (2008 Million Dollar Cash Game)
Few players have mastered the art of bluffing like Tom “Durrrr” Dwan. During a high-stakes cash game in 2008, Dwan pulled off one of the most audacious bluffs ever. Facing off against Sammy George, Dwan had nothing but a busted straight draw on the river. Despite this, he bet over $1.1 million, putting immense pressure on his opponent. George, who had top pair, couldn’t find the call, and Dwan raked in a massive pot, further solidifying his reputation as one of poker’s most fearless players. In the video above Dwan takes us through his thought process, which is helpful for those of us who couldn’t contemplate taking that kind of risk at the table!
3. Jack Straus’ “A Chip and a Chair” Bluff (1982 WSOP Main Event)
Jack “Treetop” Straus was down to a single $500 chip in the 1982 WSOP Main Event, but he refused to quit. In a key hand, Straus had 7♠ 2♦, the worst possible starting hand in Texas Hold’em. However, he convinced his opponent that he held a monster by making aggressive bets throughout the hand. His opponent folded, and Straus went on an unbelievable comeback run, eventually winning the Main Event. This moment gave birth to the famous poker phrase: “A chip and a chair.”
4. Phil Ivey’s Genius Bluff Against Paul Jackson (2005 Monte Carlo Millions)
Phil Ivey is widely regarded as one of the greatest poker players ever, and his 2005 Monte Carlo Millions bluff is a prime example of why. In a high-stakes hand against Paul Jackson, both players engaged in an intense betting war with absolutely nothing. The board read Q♠ 8♠ 5♣ 3♣, and both players only had King-high hands. Ivey, however, showed superior reading skills and unshakable confidence, forcing Jackson to fold. This bluff showcased Ivey’s ability to outplay opponents on a psychological level.
5. Stu Ungar’s Cold-Read Bluff (1981 Super Bowl of Poker)
Stu Ungar was known for his unbelievable reads and aggressive playstyle. In the 1981 Super Bowl of Poker, Ungar found himself against Doyle Brunson, one of the most feared players in poker history. Ungar had absolutely nothing, but his keen observation skills allowed him to detect weakness in Brunson. He executed a massive bluff, and Brunson, despite his years of experience, laid down his hand. This was one of many moments that solidified Ungar’s legacy as one of the greatest poker players of all time.
