1. Always keep a tight table image if you plan on bluffing somewhere down the road. If you are always playing, then no one at the table is going to give you any credibility, and will call your big bets. You will literally be giving away your hard earned chips. Playing tight consists of playing only good hands, and when people see that your doing that, they will soon be showing you more respect. Respect is important, because if you gives you opportunities to bluff, and steal alot of pots, which is essential good for building a stack.

2. The second rule is a rule that I always follow, and 7-9 times out of 10 it will work. Only bluff if you sense weakness in your opponent. Now i recommend only trying to bluff one person, basically in a one-on-one situatuion, but if you really sense weakness in other players go for it. Its very likely if you sense weakness, and you throw out a large bet they will fold. I.E. Lets say the blinds are 100/200, your opponent in middle position doubles the big blind. You are feeling he is weak, and the pot total is 700. A good amount to make it would be about 1000 or more, cause now he/she has to throw in another 600. That is 2.5x more chips to him, good chance if you sensed weakness he/she is trying to steal, and will throw it away. Although, be careful small bets sometimes are meant to be enticing, because sometimes someone who raises that small is holding a monster. So i reccommend Bluff, If and only if you sense weakness.

3. Ananlyze the other players style of play before bluffing, and make a deduction about there style of play. There are basically 2 or 3 types of people who are not worth trying to bluff. The first one is the loose player, who calls a lot hoping to hit something on the flop, or turn, or river. He will call your bets to the end, unless he is completely dead. Another person you do not want to try to bluff is the crazy guy at the table you calls everything, and everyone. He is unbluffable, he doesnt believe you ever have anything and he will go to the river, without hesitating. If you happen to catch a monster against this guy and you dont get unlucky he/she will pay off very nicely. The third person you should not try to bluff is the extremely tigh guy who only plays like 1 in every 20-30 hands. Chances are if he is playing, he is holdong a monster, and you dont want to get tangled with him. Now these are all situational with rule 2. If you sense weakness, take in to mind there style of play and make a informed decision.

Bluffing is situational, and decisions made by observing a opponent. I dont recommend bluffing a lot in a tournament or game, but essentially its part of the game and you will probaly have too. Others are better then others at bluffing, if you are not comfortable bluffing then do not do it. Although, I have to admit a well done bluff feels great. Some people say it is important to show your bluff, cause it sets up your opponent later for calling your bets when your holding a monster. I think this is alright, as long as you return to your tight style of play, and continue with it. Essentially you dont want your opponents to remember you bluffed them, unless you are infact setting them up for later, other wise if they forget you bluffed them they are likely to believe you again.