The Art of Semi Bluffing

The game of poker is not simply a game of luck, but a game of skill and in-depth strategy. One of the most useful skills is the ability to bluff. To an inexperienced player, bluffing is a risk with a hopeful outcome, but to veterans of the game, it is an art. In this article, we will discuss the art of semi-bluffing.

I’ll start off by defining the terms “Bluff” and “Semi-Bluff”, as they are actually quite different.

A “Bluff” is when a player has absolutely nothing, but attempts to make his opponent(s) fold in order to win anyway. Basically, the player has no chance of winning unless everyone else Folds. In order to win, the player must bet and/or raise, appearing to have such a good hand that the other players Fold.

A “Semi-Bluff” is based on the exact same style of betting as a Bluff, yet the player actually has a good enough hand to win the pot even if his opponent Calls. Semi-Bluffing is normally used when a player has a decent, but not great hand, or a draw to a better hand.

Semi-Bluffing can be very effective when a scare card falls on the board. By scare card, I am referring to an Ace especially, or even a King.

For example, if a player has pocket 8’s, this is a decent hand to go into the Flop with. Bet or Call and see the Flop. Should no 8 fall, but an Ace does, Bet, Raise or Re-Raise as if it’s hit your hand. There’s a good chance that your opponent will Fold. If not, you still have the pocket 8’s and two more cards coming to get the win.

It’s been said many times that a player should never be caught bluffing too often, or he’ll never be able to bluff again – at least not amongst the same crowd. The beauty of the Semi-Bluff is that a player does not become known for bluffing, as they did have a decent hand.

Let’s try another example, this time with a draw hand.

A player has 9h-10h in the Hole - Bet/Call and see the Flop. The Flop turns up 8c-Ah-Jd. The player is one draw away from an Outside Straight, and two draws away from a Flush. You have the Ace scare card to fall back on. This is the perfect time to Semi-Bluff. Bet/Raise/Re-Raise and more often than not, every opponent will Fold out. If not, you still have 17 outs on the Turn and River. If the Turn isn’t a Heart, you’re still left with 8 outs – well worth attempting a semi-bluff.

Professional poker players are well accustomed to the art of Semi-Bluffing. If you wish to attain this level of skill and success at the poker tables, practice the art of Semi-Bluffing discover for yourself just how profitable it can be.

On a final note, I would like to point out that playing at a very loose table, where the viewed-flop percentage is 60% or better, Bluffing itself rarely works. Inexperienced players will often pay to see nearly every Flop, and will continue paying to the end even with a minimally decent hand. When playing poker at such a table, the Semi-Bluff becomes extremely useful as your own semi-strong hand is more likely to beat that of soft competition.