Sunday, March 1, 2009

The Art of Semi-Bluffing

By Evan Erwin

Semi-Bluffing is thought to be one of the most dominant moves in poker, the semi-bluff. A semi-bluff is simply drawing a hand that would improve in the next round or simply by bluffing a low-grade card. This gives you immense advantage over the pot in two ways: by instantly making all your opponents fold or simply wining the showdown by completing your draw.

Although semi-bluff is considered to be a powerful move, you should forsee that your opponents know this strategy. So here are some straightforward tips, so let these steps guide you to wining a game of poker.

I noticed that a lot of the people I played with are having so much fun with semi-bluffing. With no trouble at all, these people tend to forget some of the basic stuff. Keep in mind that no matter how difficult you bet your draws, they're still going to complete less than half the time. As a result, the best result for a semi-bluff is a fold. Why? Simply because a fold is a definite win. Let say your opponents won't fold; all you have to do is hit your draw to win the pot.

Stop bluffing if it has no chance of stirring up folds, it's only doing you more damage than good and its nonsense. What you're doing is making your draws costly to hit. Always keep in mind that semi-bluff is to be used cautiously.

One of the top hands to semi-bluff with is the double-gunshot straight draw. These hands are very well disguised and will often pay off big when you hit them. The double-gunshot straight draw is one of the most excellent hands to semi-bluff with, as mentioned earlier. Not only it will pay off big when you hit them but it is well disguised.

Here is an example of what it looks like: Hole Cards: Q-J, Board: 8-T-A

Any king and nine would complete your straight draw. Like any usual straight draws, the double gutshot straight draws has an the same chance of a hit but it's well disguised.

Late position are to be your most excellent option for your bluffs and semi-bluffs, but if your opponents catches on and check-raise you, you can decrease your bluffing frequency and increase your worth betting pace. A strong read on your opponent is an indication that this method can be used.

It is extremely hard to do semi-bluffing from out of position, but I could tell you how it's best done. Out of position semi-bluffing is best done when placing a continual bets after having raised the preflop. Your opponent will then expect you to make a bet on the flop, that's if you made a preflop raise. For sure, your opponents will make call on your flop bet with the aim of stealing the pot from you, this is the "float" move. What you do is give your opponents casual semi-bluff on the turn, which would make them think twice before giving you the float move again.

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