There are certain situations where it’s advisable to give up on bluffing. Here are a few instances:
When playing against “calling stations”: Some players have a tendency to call bets, no matter how strong or weak their hand is. Bluffing against these players, often termed “calling stations”, usually results in lost chips as they rarely fold.
When you’re caught: If your bluffs have been caught multiple times, it’s a good idea to stop bluffing for a while. Players have probably labeled you as a frequent bluffer and will be more likely to call your bluffs.
Multi-way pots: Bluffing becomes more difficult and less successful as more players are involved in the pot. Each additional player increases the odds that at least one of them has a hand good enough to call your bluff.
Against tight players with strong range: If a tight player who usually plays only strong hands is showing strength, it’s typically a bad idea to try and bluff them. Their range of potential hands likely contains many hands that can beat your bluff.
When the pot is small: There’s little to gain and much to lose by bluffing in small pots. It’s generally better to save your bluffs for when there’s more at stake.
When you’re on tilt: If you’re emotionally affected by previous hands (known as being “on tilt”), it’s often better to avoid bluffing. Emotions can cloud your judgment and lead to poor decisions.