bluffen

Bluffen is a German verb meaning to bluff, i.e., to deception by presenting a stronger position than one actually has. It is used in everyday language as well as in discussions of games and strategy. The term is borrowed from the English verb bluff and began to appear in German in parallel with the rise of modern card games such as poker, where deception is a central element.

In gaming, bluffen refers to the tactic of persuading opponents to fold or concede by making bets or bet patterns that imply strength. A pure bluff relies on misrepresenting one’s current chances, while a semi-bluff involves betting with a hand that could improve in later rounds. Effective bluffing depends on context, table image, bet sizing, and an opponent's tendencies. The noun form Bluff is used in poker to denote the act of bluffing or the bluff itself.

Outside games, bluffen can describe general social deception used to gain advantage, though it is often judged negatively when used outside competitive settings. In linguistics and game theory, bluffing is analyzed as a strategic signal issued under incomplete information, balancing risk and potential reward.

See also: bluff, bluffing, poker strategy, semi-bluff.