It's easy to talk about setting up the big bluff but you run into so many people trying to do the same thing. If everyone is trying to capitalise on the last few hands of poker then can everyone be reading the signals?

That's why you can cut the tension with a knife by the end of a long night and why the battlers at the end look like warriors coming through a long siege. But they do it with nerves not weapons. Poker is modern hand to hand combat.

I love to bluff out people of their hands. I make people feel like such crap when I lay over some horrible cards, and my hand has nothing to do with anything on the flop. Haha, I usually have some low cards, and they have a high pair. It's great!

I have to admit, bluffing isn't my strong suit. I usually depend on my luck if I'm in a poker game, and it's never for big money. I love playing poker, but that doesn't mean I'm good at it

I just can't bluff. You can pretty much read it all over my face if I even try. I haven't yet learned "the poker face".

as previously noted the successful bluff is an exhilarating and satisfying experience. The secret successful bluff really boils down to two simple practices. Knowing when to hold them and knowing when to fold them.so I have been told.

A good bluff is the difference between poker being a game of luck or a game of skill, but some people just don't have that skill. Do you think the ability to bluff comes naturally or is it something that you can learn over the course of time?

I think some people are naturals when it comes to bluffing, but even if you aren't, I don't think it means you can't LEARN to do it well. Timing is everything (well, almost everything!)
Have fun and good luck!

sunspun

When you guys successfully bluff someone out of a pot do you show them your hand or not?

As far as I know you don't have to show anyone anything. If you fold, then the game is over. Winner doesn't have to show hands. I think this will protect the bluffers strategy.

I have to say that when someone shows their hand, and it turns out they were bluffing, it really changes my opinion of them right there. And not really for the better, save maybe for a little envy, or (begrudging) admiration! Especially if it's a major jab, like a couple of rags, when you would have had them beaten with a pair... if they turn over those kinds of cards, it's as if I can just hear them saying, "Nyah nyah nyahnyahnyah!" And hearing that from anyone (anywhere in life) always takes them down a notch or 2 in my estimation of them.

But then, they're not there to gain my approval -- winning my approval of them isn't going to win them any more dollars in the game, so I'm sure they couldn't care less... even though.... sometimes it seems like they do care about that too!
People are funny.

sunspun

Its sometimes a good strategy I think to show your hand to the opponent, that way when he sees that he had you beat he'll become more emotional and start to act rashly and go on tilt. Its also good to keep your play as unpredictable as possible so people are unsure whether how to read your play.

Although I agree with sunspun, it does make others feel less "happy" with you. But hell, thats what makes poker so fun.