Part: Part Eight - Making Moves
The semi-bluff
Flop
You called a raise on the button with T♠9♠. Flop J♠ 6♠ 2♦ - a flush draw plus an overcard. The pre-flop raiser checks.
You flop a strong draw and he checks. Best?
WhyBet a semi-bluff. You win two ways: he folds now, or you complete your many outs later. Betting also takes the initiative his check surrendered. A draw with fold equity is a bet, not a check.
What happensYou bet 1,600; he folds. You take it - and you had outs if called.
You bet your draw rather than checking it, adding fold equity to your equity - the essence of the semi-bluff. Two ways to win beats one.
Bet your good draws as semi-bluffs - you win when they fold and you still have equity when they don't.