[Skipbidder]

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To be more specific, why do so many good backgammon/chess/bridge players also make good poker players?

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Do they? (outside of a couple of TV "names")

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Probably at a higher rate than people who aren't good at those games. There are still those who play badly (and think that they are much better than they really are).

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I can see the game theory element, but poker seems to be different in that bluffing is a key part of the game

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But of course .... how would one bluff when all the information needed for the correct decision is in plain view?

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That certainly isn't even close to the case in bridge. Bluffing in called a psychic during the bidding or a falsecard during the play. Psychics are less prevalent in US tournament bridge than they used to be because the governing body has taken steps against them (among the many foolish things they have done).

A similar concept between bridge and poker is putting people on a range of hands based on the prior action. You need to do this during the auction and you need to do it during the play.