6 Signs of Bluffing

In The Art of War, Sun Tzu spoke about the importance of deception. Appearing weak when you are strong and appearing strong when you are weak are both equally important. It’s a trick that can help you win both in a battle and at a poker table. In fact, you would be surprised at how often this can help you in various situations in life.

However, you’re not the only one using this tactic. Others will try to bluff when faced against you, at a poker table, during business negotiations, or in a relationship. Here are the top six signs that they’re likely bluffing.

Micro smirk

The desire to boast is deeply psychological and hard to suppress. Bluffing isn’t just about deception - it’s about power. The person pulling it off wants to feel like they’re outsmarting everyone at the table. Even if they keep their words in check, their body sometimes betrays them. That little smirk is not just a conscious decision - it just slips out.

This insight (along with others on the list) is completely absent when playing online. You play behind an avatar when gambling online, meaning you can easily hide your facial expressions. If you’re particularly bad at keeping a poker face, you can practice online using one of the sites listed in this online poker Texas article. Not only do these offshore sites provide Texans with a safe and legal place to play online casino games, but they also allow them to practice hiding their micro smirks.

Overexplaining

A truthful person doesn’t feel the need to add extra fluff to their response. They answer the question, make their point, and move on. When someone is bluffing, however, they tend to ramble. They feel the pressure to sound convincing, and that often results in giving way too many details.

Watch for someone going into elaborate backstories when none are needed. If you ask a simple question and the response sounds like a rehearsed monologue, that’s a red flag. Bluffers tend to justify things that don’t need justifying as if they’re afraid their word alone isn’t enough.

Sudden shift in breathing

A deep breath at the wrong time can give away more than people realize. When someone bluffs, their body reacts before their brain catches up. Bluffing triggers a fight-or-flight response, even if they don’t consciously feel nervous.

Watch their chest movements. Bluffers might take a bigger breath before speaking as if they’re bracing themselves. This is not something most people do naturally unless they’re feeling pressure. A steady, controlled breath signals calmness, while erratic breathing patterns signal tension. This is why mindful breathing makes so much difference while playing poker.

Eye contact inconsistencies

Too much eye contact is just as suspicious as too little. When someone is bluffing, they often overcompensate. They’ve heard that liars avoid eye contact, so they try to do the opposite - they lock eyes and refuse to break away. Remember, real confidence is relaxed, not forced. If someone is staring too intently, as if daring you to doubt them, they might be trying too hard.

Watch out for someone who suddenly avoids looking at you altogether. It’s natural to break eye contact now and then, but a person who is bluffing might glance away at the worst possible moment. They know they need to sound convincing, but their brain is working overtime, and that little flick of the eyes can be a dead giveaway.

Stiff body language

When someone is bluffing, they don’t just fidget - they freeze. It’s a common misconception that nervousness equals fidgeting, but sometimes the opposite is true. Bluffers are so focused on appearing natural that they look completely unnatural. Their shoulders lock up, their hands barely move, and they sit stiff as a board. Instead of looking confident, they look like a statue.

Also, pay attention to their overall movement. People naturally shift, adjust, and gesture when they talk, but a bluffer is too busy trying to keep everything under control. If their body language suddenly becomes stiff - especially when they’re saying something important - it could be a sign they’re bluffing.

Delayed response

A real reaction is immediate. When someone genuinely believes what they’re saying, the words come out naturally. But a bluffer needs a second to put their thoughts together. Their brain is working overtime to construct a convincing response, and that tiny pause before they speak can be a dead giveaway.

Also, watch for someone who repeats the question before answering. This is a classic stalling tactic. It buys them a few extra seconds to develop something that sounds believable. “Did I fold because I was scared? No, I folded because I had a bad hand.” That little pause between repeating and answering the question isn’t just filler - it’s hesitation disguised as thoughtfulness.

Final thoughts

Bluffing is everywhere. It’s not just an apoker thing - it happens in business, in arguments, even in casual conversations. The trick is knowing what to look for. A micro smirk, stiff body language, or an unnecessary explanation can all be signs that someone isn’t being completely honest. The moment they realize you’ve caught on, that’s when their bluff finally falls apart.