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Semi-Bluffing
Semi-bluffing is a sort
of bluff where you have a poor hand or a drawing
hand that can possibly improve. Against players
with nothing it functions a lot like a bluff. Against
players with something it functions as a form of
aggression. It is a powerful tool, as it can lead
to a deceptively powerful hand if the cards come
to you. It can also be a source of great loss if
overused or misused.
Semi-bluffing in Texas Holdem is used best in bluffing
situations. Its usefulness comes from the fact that
players who recognize a bluff won't necessarily
recognize when you make your draw. It is more useful
(and preferable) against a lot of players, as opposed
to outright bluffing, since the odds tend to be
better. Other than that, you'll want to use semi-bluffing
in late position, usually on the flop or turn, against
mediocre flops, and against poor players.
Let's look at two examples of semi-bluffing from
a perspective of odds and from a perspective of
bluffing:
1. You have a Jack of Hearts, and a Ten of Hearts.
The pre-flop betting round concludes with six players
investing two bets each. The flop is Ace of Hearts,
Queen of Spades, Seven of Hearts.
You are in a middle position, and decide to semi-bluff.
Why? You've got draws, that's why! Any Heart or
King will give you a hand. Whenever you have multiple
draws like that, start thinking of what would be
ideal. If a Heart pops up you have to worry about
a higher flush draw, so you probably want the King
of Hearts, as he is the most likely to be in someone's
hand. A Queen of Hearts would be dangerous for you,
since you'd be looking at a royal flush draw vs.
a potentially made full house. Ideally you want
a non-Heart King and the straight. That would be
the nuts.
For simplicity's sake though, let's say that in
your evaluation, either a flush or straight will
give you a winning hand. You have twelve outs (don't
count the King of Hearts twice). That's a little
better than a 25% chance of hitting a winning card
on the turn. Even re-raising or check-raising would
be a good idea in this position based purely on
odds. Even if you miss on the turn, it would be
in your interests (based on players reactions) to
continue to bet it right out.
2. You have a pair of sixes in the pocket. Pre-flop
eliminates all but you and another player who was
in early position before you. You get a rainbow
flop of Four, Five, Ten.
Semi-bluff! In this case you have to think of it
more as a bluff. If this only player played a hand
in early position, they probably have some overcards
in this case. You want the pot right then and there.
Most players will bluff back at you in this case
with just an Ace in the pocket. Stick to your resolve.
Bluff.
Your chances of getting
that six are pretty slim, and not worth the odds.
You only have to worry about your opponent having
overpairs and matching the Ten. So you really have
to evaluate the player, as opposed to the math in
this case. I'd always try to be on the aggressive.
You need information about his hand. Betting is
a real good way to get information. Also, a casual
semi-bluffing check-raise can be all you need to
scare another player if you think they'll bluff
at the pot.
Hope that give a little
insight into semi-bluffing. I suggest using it at
a money-table
to get a feel for it. It is more of a learned experience.
Remember with any bluff, you need to know your players,
and not to use any bluffing tactic habitually.
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