What is a semi-bluff?

[freelancermaria]

Semi-bluffing is a poker strategy where you bet or raise with a hand that might not be the best right now, but it could become one. For instance, if you have four cards towards a flush or an open-ended straight draw, you can bet aggressively and make your opponents fold, winning the pot without even finishing your draw. Even if someone calls your bet, you still have a chance to make a strong hand with your remaining cards. Knowing how to semi-bluff can really boost your poker profits.

 

[Bawse]

I usually always bet my draws unless I'm short stacked, then I'm looking for a opportunity to double up right away. I prefer semi-bluffing over bluffing with complete air, that way if you get called, you'll have escape outs if you hit/make your hand.

 

[fdk]

A flush draw or an open-ended straight draw after the flop is the perfect idea of a "semi-bluff", for me. You can appear relatively confident in your betting, maybe alluding a mid-high pair or something (which is what I usually attempt in such situations), and I'll usually call any reasonable re-raises too with the turn and river to go.

Semi-bluffing on mere pairs is a far riskier tactic imo but one I've seen some players master.