What is semi-bluffing? Generally, you are semi-bluffing when the cards dealt previously to you are not so great, but the odds are that they can really improve. If you are playing against palyers that have nothing, it should function just as if you were bluffing. But if your opponents have something, then semi-bluffing is a latent, hidden form of attack. Semi-bluffing should be used throuthfully as it is a powerfull tool. If the cards will come to you then it will lead to a great hand. But if they don’t, semi-bluffing can make you lose lots of money, so use it usely.
In texas hold’em semi-bluffing is preferred to bluffing because players usually can tell when you are bluffing. You must use it against lots of players rather than against just a few, the odds are in your favor this way. Also, semi-bluff when you are in late position, maybe on the flop and always against poor, unexpirienced players.
Let’s look at an actual stiation that will be commented upon for a better understanding.
Situation: You have a Ace of hearts and a Ten of hearts.
There are six players and in the pre-flop each of them betted twice. When the flop is dealt, you can see the following cards: Jack of hearts, Queen of Diamond, Eight of hearts.
You are positioned in the middle so you want to try semi-bluffing. You have great chances accually. If any heart card or any king appears you will have a hand. So, you are confronted now with multiple draws. You have to think what would be best in this situation. If you get a heart then you should have a flush, but then again if a king arises you will have a straight. The King of hearts is probably in some one’s hand so don’t think about that. If the queen of heart might appear it can be dangerous, because it could also be used for someone’s full house. So, best solution is to get the King, probably a non-hearts King.
Because either a flush or a straight can makyour hand the winning one, then we must think that you have twelve outs, with the king of hearts that we decided is already dealt probably but counting this card only once even though it fits both categories. Calculating the odds, you stand a chance of 25% to get the card you need. So, you can raise or check here. If let’s say you miss this one, there is a good chance if the players are folding that you still win and you can continue betting.
