Who’s got the best poker face in the US?
Our brand new study at BonusFinder has revealed the states most skilled in the art of bluffing, from mastering poker to perfecting the art of deception.
The research included analysing Google search data for bluffing-related terms such as “how to lie,” “poker cheat sheet,” “how to card count,” and “good poker face”, and creating an index to find which states are the most curious about the tactics behind a convincing bluff.
Colorado tops the ranking
Leading the nation with a total bluff score of 44.6 out of 90, Colorado residents take the crown as America’s Biggest Bluffers. The state ranked highly for searches on ‘good poker face’(a perfect 10/10) and ‘cold cards’ (8.4/10).
Colaradans are fascinated with the strategy, psychology, and theory of poker, whilst also being interested in the more unconventional methods of trying to win around the table.
Perhaps it’s that mountain air that helps them stay cool under pressure, whether it’s at the poker table or during everyday white lies.
Utah finds itself in second place
Known for it’s clean-cut reputation and community values, its score of 39.1/100 shows that even the most honest of folks can’t resist a good bluff.
Utah residents ranked highly for searches such as ‘poker cheat sheet’ and ‘cold cards’, indicating a clear interest in poker technique and possibly even a hint of friendly deception.
Maryland, Oklahoma and Missouri round out the top five
Maryland placed third in the rankings with a score of 38.8. The state scored well across categories like ‘how to lie’ and ‘good poker face’, marking the East Coast’s best bluffers.
Following closely are Oklahoma (36.8) and Missouri (36.4). Oklahoma led the nation in searches for ‘card marking’ — a bold (if slightly suspicious) curiosity that secured them fourth place. Whilst Missouri had a strong interest in both bluffing and poker strategy, showing the Midwest knows how to play its cards right.
The art of the bluff: What Americans search for
The study examined nine bluffing-related search categories, each scored on a scale of 0 to 10. The results reveal fascinating insights into how Americans think about deception — and what they’re most eager to master.
Top-searched bluffing topics nationwide:
- How to lie – Proving curiosity about deception isn’t just for poker players.
- Good poker face – The most-searched bluffing skill across multiple states.
- Poker cheat sheet – A favorite among beginners hoping to up their game.
- How to card count – Popular in states near major casinos and poker scenes.
- Cold cards – Showing a fascination with luck, timing and strategy.
It’s not all about deceit, though; many of these searches reflect strategic thinking, confidence, and the psychology of reading others. Whether in the workplace, at the card table, or in social situations, bluffing is as much about emotional intelligence as it is about dishonesty.
Methodology
The America’s Biggest Bluffers index analyzed Google search volume for a selection of bluffing and poker-related phrases across all 50 US states.
Using a normalisation formula, each term was assigned a score of 10, and then combined into a total score of 90. Terms included:
- How to bluff
- How to lie
- Poker strategy
- Poker cheat sheet
- Poker theory
- Good poker face
- Cold cards
- How to card count
- Card marking
This composite score highlights which states show the highest online interest in bluffing skills, poker strategy and related topics.
