Semi-bluff, one of the most powerful weapons in poker?

Hello, first of all what is semi-bluff? Semi-bluff is you bet on the post Flop with a very strong draw. Now let's talk a little about semi-bluff and enrich our knowledge a little more. One of the riskiest moves, however well applied can be very profitable, I playing against the right opponent, in the case someone with less stacks than I, I will never use a semi- bluff against opponents with more stacks than me, that would be a very serious mistake, never compromise your stacks in a tournament. What could you tell me about semi-bluff??? I need to improve my game, I need help.

I wouldn't say not to use it against someone who is deeper than you, unless they are a lot deeper.

A semi-bluff (in my opinion) tells the story that you may already have a made hand, or you may be chasing a draw. It can create some doubt in the mind of the other player. So when your draw completes they may wonder if that was what you were betting or if they can now bluff that they made the draw. If they do make the bet, there is a much stronger likelihood that they were also chasing the draw. Depending on what it is (flush, OESD) they may actually have out drawn-you. That is info that you can use to help you make your decisions.

It also has some fold equity - sometimes the other guy will fold his hand to your draw (which is great for you if the draw never completes).

Also, if you don't bet the draw and wait for it to complete, the other guy has so little invested in the pot that it's very unlikely he will now bet himself, or call your bet unless he too made the draw.

Cool your thinking on that subject. I agree with you.

Semi-bluffing seems to be the best option when you have a decent draw, but no showdown value.

i do not believe in semi bluffs, either its a bluff or not
cus when the flop is done you will see if you have something or not
if you have nothing its the time to decide if you bluff or not, but thats risky, cuz for exemple if i have good hand i may show to otehr i have nothing with makign a check, and have taking time to do it so they think i have nothing, and may be otehr will do the same or bluff hahaha
you see its complicated, and thats why i love poker

Do not forget that the purpose of the semi-bluff is to make the opponent fold, if there is resistance from your opponent you have to be smart and carry out another strategy. Do not forget that the semi-bluff is a profitable strategy for smart people who know what they're doing.

Exactly, semi bluff is called that way cause there is a chance that you can get a draw or a good hand.
A bluff is when you don't get anything, not even close to have a pair. In both situation you're trying the opponent fold. In poker there is no white or black like @ebellari is trying to point. If you have completed your project then you are not bluffing.
Semi bluff is a strategy when you are deep in the tournament and with few opponent, not suggested at the begining or with more than 2 opponent.
One thing you should notice is that players are paying attetion at your move to get your semi bluff got through, because if they don't they are just going to play their hand.
Sorry for my English.

wsbar said:

Hello, first of all what is semi-bluff? Semi-bluff is you bet on the post Flop with a very strong draw.

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It doesn't have to be a strong draw. It can be as weak as a gutshot.

The weaker your draw is, the more you are hoping that your opponent will fold.

If you have a very strong draw, especially if you also have overcards
or if you have a combination draw (flush draw and straight draw at the same time)
you don't mind so much if your opponent calls.

Be especially careful when semi-bluffing at micro-stakes or in freerolls. Many players in those games can't find the fold button.

Interesting this subject. Very cool the answers.

I think if you are short stacked but still have fold equity against your opponent a semi bluff is a good spot to go all in.

It is very good to share knowledge, it is very good to be here as part of this forum, without demagogy. I see that I will evolve without a doubt. This team is top.

It is important to note that there are poker players who apply this semi-bluff art once per tournament and other players who want to apply at all times. I think we should be careful in acting, we must understand that in poker each player has an image. There are players who bluff, there are players who rarely bluff, there are players who play lots of hands and there are conservative players. A semi-bluff applied by the correct player is practically infallible.

Semibluff are considered to be situations where you have 8 outs to gain and more.
Semibluff always implies risk. It has some minuses. Dispersion increases as you play regularly for large banks and you need a plan in case the opponent calls or raises.
Be careful, and do not give your money to weak players in unsuccessful attempts to bluff against them.

Some very good thoughts and opinions about semi bluff , thank you very much .
I personally am experimenting with bluff and semibluff , trying to learn as much as I can. For one I agree for sure , at microstakes and freerolls bliffs dont work so much .

good point about the players not finding the fold button in freerolls.

i could have sworn some rooms have swapped the whole action buttons section of their tables for a single 'all in' button post flop lol

one of my favourite actions when i think someone is sheer bluffing and getting heavily more expensive with every betting round is the shove whilst saying out loud 'Bluff that' haha make me chuckle anyway, i find in freerolls the gained chuckle is worth the odd loss

I would say do it against one player who is on the tight side as you don't mind if you win there and then. Don't do it against multiple players or a calling station. If you get called and don't hit you could be in a tough spot especially out of position.

Semi-bluffing is one of the possible weapons but in poker as long as you do not have nuts everything should be done with caution.