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THE SEMI BLUFF
Remember what was
said toward the end of this topic about betting when you
are afraid you do not have the best hand. The more ways
you have of improving to become the best hand, the more
reason you have to bet. The semi-bluff is an extension of
this concept. From another point of view, it is an extension
of theories of bluffing, which are discussed in pages
Eighteen and Nineteen. We define the semi-bluff this way:
A semi-bluff is 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.
Obviously, then, a semi-bluff cannot occur unless there
are more cards to come. When you bet as a semi-bluff, you
are rooting to win right there just as you are when you
make a pure bluff. However, in contrast to a pure bluff,
you still retain a chance of outdrawing your opponent if
you are called. Even when you bet with a legitimate hand,
you are generally rooting to win instantly, but when you
semi-bluff, you especially want your opponents to fold because
one of them may be folding the best hand.
The semi-bluff is one of the least understood tools of poker,
yet it is a very valuable and potent weapon. All professional
players use it, and it may be used in any games. It may
be a bet, a raise, or even a check-raise. Essentially you
are representing a bigger hand than you actually have; however,
in contrast to a pure bluff, your hand must have some chances
of improving to the best hand.
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