Semi-bluff shove

Hi,

I am wondering what sort of things people consider when deciding to shove with a drawing or a medium/weakish hand. Is it something you do when you have a certain number of odds, or you are against a player who seems weak or is known to fold often to a reraise, or the board is coordinated in a particular way etc. How do you make this decision? And is it something that could work at the microstakes level?
Thanks

Probably in this order, but it will be a mix of these...

Position (later the better),
Action so far (Did a rock raise preflop and for some reason they have checked the flop),
Read on players - no point in trying to push a calling station out of a pot.
Stack size - if u r in a MTT

As its a semi bluff, yes, u could try to rep the flop.

I would not be that keen on trying to bluff in micro stakes from what I have heard.

Depends, on all sorts of things. Ronaldadio has listed some of them. You might also think about the stage the game is at if it's a SnG or MTT - is the bubble affecting the amount of fold equity you've got, or are people likely to call you light because the bubble has just burst?

Also think about what odds you're getting and what odds you're laying your opponents to call you. What hands can you reasonably expect to fold, and how much of the villain's range do they make up?

Ronaldadio said:

Probably in this order, but it will be a mix of these...

Position (later the better),
Action so far (Did a rock raise preflop and for some reason they have checked the flop),
Read on players - no point in trying to push a calling station out of a pot.
Stack size - if u r in a MTT

As its a semi bluff, yes, u could try to rep the flop.

I would not be that keen on trying to bluff in micro stakes from what I have heard.

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I could of not quote a better quote then this...there are many factors that you have to concider..even when you don't have the nuts in the hand:toilet:

just as a word of advice if your playing the super micros 2n-10nl there is very little fold equity. You probably arent going to get players off of top pair no kicker.. so beware when semi bluff shoving

You can bet, raise or check-raise it!
If you got a hand that you would call a bet with you should better bet first!
You need a hand with a few outs to become the best hand!
And you will not bet if you know that you get called!

1. I must have a tight image
2. I must have seen my opponent(I'm assuming it's heads up) fold postflop and not call down with mediocre hands.
3. I must have the right amount of chips left in regard to the pot size that it looks like I have a good hand trying to prevent the draw from getting the correct odds to call.
4. My opponent must not have more than about 35% of his chips already invested, but if he/she calls my bet it would be for a significant portion of his/her stack.

dwolfg said:

1. I must have a tight image

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I think that your table image is not very important since we are talking about microstakes. So knowing that your opponent can fold postflop is ways more important!

Ronaldadio said:

Probably in this order, but it will be a mix of these...

Position (later the better),
Action so far (Did a rock raise preflop and for some reason they have checked the flop),
Read on players - no point in trying to push a calling station out of a pot.
Stack size - if u r in a MTT

As its a semi bluff, yes, u could try to rep the flop.

I would not be that keen on trying to bluff in micro stakes from what I have heard.

Click to expand...

I play no bigger than 5c blinds. Usually when they shove, they have a flush draw. They usually do it because they don't wanna fold and they get fold equity.

poker_stu said:

I think that your table image is not very important since we are talking about microstakes. So knowing that your opponent can fold postflop is ways more important!

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I was just listing my requirements as they popped in my head. Yes my oponents ability to fold postflop is more important, but I wouldn't try this move if I've been playing lag. Your chances of being called increase a lot imo, even if my opponents have shown the ability to fold postflop.

matt20 said:

just as a word of advice if your playing the super micros 2n-10nl there is very little fold equity. You probably arent going to get players off of top pair no kicker.. so beware when semi bluff shoving

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Hell, a few days ago I couldn't get a pair of people off of Ace high when I had pocket 10's. I wound up folding myself because from the way they were betting I thought they had actual HANDS. IIRC they both wound up all in and splitting the pot.

Another thing is when i semi-bluff i am on a 4 card flush and straight as well you can take that in to fact to help with weather to continue or not

Dreams of Tragedy said:

Another thing is when i semi-bluff i am on a 4 card flush and straight as well you can take that in to fact to help with weather to continue or not

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Continue what?

If u mean bluffing I`m not sure if what u said is a semi bluff as such, although u don`t have a made hand.

If u flop an open ended straight draw and u have a flush u have around 32% to hit on the turn and then the same on the river. Combined, i.e. if u push all in after the flop hits, u r 64% to catch.