The Semi Bluff

The Semi Bluff is a very valuable and potent weapon in no-limit Holdém and in most other poker games. It adds deception to your game and done properly it will show a big profit in the long run.
In Theory of Poker, David Sklansky defines a semi bluff as “ a bet with a hand which, if called, does not figure to be the best hand at the moment, but has a reasonable chance of outdrawing those hands that initially called it “ A semi bluff can only occur when there are more cards to come. When you make this bet you are hoping your opponents will fold but if you are called you still have a chance to hit and win the pot.

A typical time for a semi bluff is when you flop the nut flush draw. You should bet strong most of the times even if you have nothing but the draw. In a tight game a bet or raise probably result in you winning the pot right there and if you are called you are still in a good position. You will hit your flush one times in tree or you can win with a bluff on turn or river.
If your opponents are weak calling stations you should semi bluff less, but with your good draws like the flopped nut flush draw or a flush draw with a pair, you should almost always bet strong. Its not a good business for your opponent to call you because they cant be sure you are not holding a very strong hand and have them already beaten.
In No-limit Holdém gaining the initiative and keeping the initiative are very important. If you have a hand that you would call a bet with then you should pretty much be betting with it the vast majority of the time, aiming to win the pot right then. Check calling and giving too many free cards is a losing strategy in most games.


When not to semi bluff:
If you are likely to get raised or check raised.
Against loose players who will not fold.
 

Defense against the Semi bluff

The semi bluff is a powerful play and hard to defend against. If you hold a good but not great hand against something you believes is a semi bluff a call is not the correct play. You should fold most times and sometimes raise. And if you raise, the raise has to be big. If your opponent have a flush draw you don’t want to give him correct odds to draw so you have to make at least a pot sized raise, and if you are not willing to do that it’s probably better to fold.
If you calls a lot of probable semi bluffs you will loose money. Sometimes they are not bluffing at all and have you beat and sometimes, and this is the worst, they are on a draw, hits, and beats you.

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