Hey guys, im
back from my ‘week off’ . Today’s article is
inspired by a reader who wants to know the
psychology behind people when they bluff, which I
think is a top idea. I’ve also been asked by Ghost
on the forums to do a ‘Dueling in the UK’ article,
so expect that next.
Ok, bluffing, or as it otherwise known ‘ punking the
opponent’., is a fine art used when quite frankly,
you haven’t got anything to protect yourself, and
you have just top decked a Dust Tornado. It happens
to the best of us when we go all out, and that’s
pretty much the story of my whole dueling career.
But how do you convince the opponent that your face
down dust tornado is an un banned mirror force? Well
it takes some doing.
The first thing that you have to think of is what
kind of opponent you are facing, see if you’re
facing an opponent that plays cautiously, then you
have a chance at bluffing, but if you’re playing an
opponent that runs in blindly regardless of
consequences like myself, then you might as well
give up then and there.
Fortunately, im pretty unique, and most players do
worry about face down cards. Now that you’ve
analysed the player, its time to focus on your
‘Bluffing Technique’ . Firstly, whatever you do,
when you draw your ‘Last pathetic card’ (little
anime reference for ya there) , make sure you
express great pleasure in drawing it if you‘re going
to bluff, regardless, unless of course it’s a high
level monster, then you’re screwed. Anyway, play
your card face down, so they cannot see it, but hold
it up by the corner, as if you’re eager to activate
your devastating top deck. That way, the opponent
will be made reluctant to attack. Another method
would be not to touch your cards, and lean back
smugly as if you couldn’t care less. Then again,
arrogance is a weakness.
On the other hand, there’s always the double
bluffer. The kind of guy that acts completely
abolished when he draws his final card, and then
reveals is a scapegoat , or the like. You have to
admire and despise these guys.
The only problem with this is the heavy amount of
monster/ spell/trap removal that is literally piling
up. Even if you had top decked your greatest trap or
monster, there’s no guarantee it’s going to be
staying there long. So how does a bluffer feel on
the opposing turn, what thoughts cross there mind?
Conflicting emotions like fear, hesitancy and
excitement are sure to be felt whenever bluffing,
and it’s these emotions that influence how
successful a bluff is. Confidence is a must. If you
act dismal and depressed, the opponent will see
through the bluff and will surely attack., but if
you appear to be sturdy then they will hesitate.
It’s the thoughts and emotions that pass through the
bluffer at the opponents first main phase that are
so perplex. Fear of failure is the 1st instinct that
will present itself, and will prove to be the most
difficult to overcome in order to perfect the bluff.
Fear makes us sweat, and fidget , and these tell
tale signs will show to the opponent.
The next emotion is grief and acceptance. At this
moment the bluffer will grieve, then accept that
they have lost. This may only last for a split
second but it will always be in the back of their
mind.
The final emotion is the strength that drives them,
which I suppose isn’t really an emotion. This is the
part of them that yells
‘Come on, we can do this !!!’
These emotions pass through the bluffer in a
repeated cycle over and over again in the brief
moments before the opponent decides what move to
make. Having been there, I can tell you it’s very
exhilarating, and the adrenaline rush is fantastic.
Well, that’s it for me, any comments can go to
toddyhole@aol.com, and I will reply. Have a good one
guys. |
