Deterrence is the art of producing, in the mind of the enemy, the fear to attack. (Sterling Hayden)

Disclaimer: Don't try this live!

4-bet bluffing

You sit in the cutoff and open, the button 3-bets, you have a bad hand like K8s and fold. Next orbit: You again open from the cut-off, button 3 bets again. You have a hand like ATo - time to 4-bet bluff? Probably not unless you know this particular button to 'always' 3-bet on the button. If he does always 3-bet on the button you should check out his 4-bet stats - does he fold a lot to 4-bets? If not then you should muck this hand as well. Notice I have earlier recommended never to call 3-bets out of position - you probably have to be Phil Ivey to make that profitable.

In general 3 things should determine whether you should 4-bet bluff or not. By 4-bet bluffing I mean you are going to fold to a shove. A 4-bet semibluff is when you really hope he folds but will have to call if he shoves - with say JJ. A pure valuebet is when you 4-bet and hope he shoves and can't wait to get it all-in (aces and kings are good candidates).  Ok back to the 3 things:

Opponents stats and image: If the opponent is very active and aggressive you will have to do something to stop him from running you over - especially if he has position! (another and less variance prone idea is to leave the table but if there is a big fish you might want to stay) . So 4-betting the aggro-tard is a good idea in general. It will slow him down and he might even (as if) stop 3-betting you all the time. Even if he shoves (and you fold) you probably get the message through: I will not go into the dark quietly! If he never ever folds to 4-bet you should (of course!)  never 4-bet bluff him. Then it is much better to just tighten up wait for good cards (it is personal, but say TT+ and Aqo+) and then play for stacks. Some players like to 4-bet (bluff?) the aggro tard the first time he 3-bets just to get into the right mood.

Your image: If you have a tight image he will probably respect your 4-bets more and vice versa If you seem tilted he will respect it less. So when you feel this urge to 4-bet to show the aggro tard who is in charge - beware! This is when he - if he is good and know you can 4-bet bluff - 5-bet shoves any two. So always ask yourself what is my image? Do I look like I really need to take a stand (having been pushed around) or does it look like it is for value? Remember - as always - you want your bluffs to look like valuebets and your valuebets to look like bluffs!

Your cards: It is better to 4-bet hands with blockers (high cards) for two reasons: Some (annoying) donks actually do call 4-bets and when they do, aces and picture cards play much better than small suited connectors. With blockers in your hand there is less chance of the opponent having a monster (by card removal). If you have never 4-bet bluff before a good hand to start with is KQo - can't call a 3-bet or get it in ot a shove and has maximum card removal.

So far we have only been discussing 4-bet bluffing out of position - what if you are in position? Then 4-betting a hand like KQo is much less attractive - against most players it is better to just call the 3-bet and play in position. I 4-bet bluff less in position but if I do it's usually with  Axo or Axs against a very 3-bet happy blind, in a spot where I have no reason to 'spazz out'.

Hope you have questions :) Next up is 4-betting for value and as a semibluff/valuebet followed by some sample hands with 4-bets. Merry Christmas!