[Mr. Orange]

to the OP

at the lower limits, the best way to win often is just to play ABC poker or "honest poker" as you put it. The money comes from the players that play worse than you. (i.e. playing too many hands and going too far with them)

Once you move up and play better opponents you can't play that predictably and have to start bluffing/semi bluffing or you'll get destroyed.