Semi-Bluffing in Poker
In this Article:
- What is semi-bluffing?
- Why should you use it in your game?
- When to use it?
- Things to look out for.
- What is semi-bluffing?
- Why should you use it in your game?
- When to use it?
- Things to look out for.
What is semi-bluffing?
Semi-bluffing is like a bluff, but not entirely. A semi-bluff is basically a raise (bluff) when you don't have an actual hand yet- but you have a lot of outs.
Semi-bluffing is like a bluff, but not entirely. A semi-bluff is basically a raise (bluff) when you don't have an actual hand yet- but you have a lot of outs.
Why should you use it in your game?
A semi-bluff does 2 things in your favor. One: it makes people fold the hand and you can win the pot that way. Two: if you have callers, the pot size increases- and you have a good chance for hitting your hand. If you don't hit your hand you haven't wasted much. If you do hit it, you will get a nice pay off.
A semi-bluff does 2 things in your favor. One: it makes people fold the hand and you can win the pot that way. Two: if you have callers, the pot size increases- and you have a good chance for hitting your hand. If you don't hit your hand you haven't wasted much. If you do hit it, you will get a nice pay off.
When to use it?
It is good to use a semi-bluff when you have a lot of outs or you only have 1-2 players in that hand. Example 1: If you have flopped an open-ended straight draw with also the possibility of hitting a flush, and you raised pre-flop- it could be great to use it here. Example 2: Low cards have come out, but hey haven't connected. You are sitting with AKo/s (Ace King off-suit) and its been checked round to you. You put in a small raise, all players fold. You didn't have the best hand, but by the time it got to the river, you might of.
It is good to use a semi-bluff when you have a lot of outs or you only have 1-2 players in that hand. Example 1: If you have flopped an open-ended straight draw with also the possibility of hitting a flush, and you raised pre-flop- it could be great to use it here. Example 2: Low cards have come out, but hey haven't connected. You are sitting with AKo/s (Ace King off-suit) and its been checked round to you. You put in a small raise, all players fold. You didn't have the best hand, but by the time it got to the river, you might of.
Things to look out for:
If you are playing in a hand with loose-aggressive players, you may have to raise a little bit higher to pull the semi-bluff off. If you raise too high, and you don't hit your hand- you have to think carefully what you think the other player has. If you think the villain is weak but the time it gets to the river, you might consider throwing a bluff out there.
If you are playing in a hand with loose-aggressive players, you may have to raise a little bit higher to pull the semi-bluff off. If you raise too high, and you don't hit your hand- you have to think carefully what you think the other player has. If you think the villain is weak but the time it gets to the river, you might consider throwing a bluff out there.
- Consider your chip stack against your villains. If your stack is low in comparison, it might not be a good time to use the semi-bluff, as you might end up going all-in.
- If you are playing against a calling station- are they going to call you, and do you want to be called?
- Too many players calling your semi-bluff. If this has happened, you have to re-evaluate your hand.
- Position: If you are first to act, or last. If you are last to act then you can observe the other players gaining information.
Some Great Videos to Watch on Semi Bluffing:
