More on Semi-Bluffing

Semi-bluffing is usually a lot more effective than bluffing when you don't have anything at all.

One form of semi-bluffing is OVERSTATING what you have in your hand. Say when the flop comes you make top pair, and then bet large. Bet as if you have two pair or better.

I don't know if this is something they do a lot on TV, but in the low-stakes poker rooms, invariably some yahoo comes in and tries this. They go all in every time they have top pair.

They may get away with it once or twice, and double their bankroll, but since it only holds up 60% of the time or so, usually, after 8-10 hands, they're gone. Everyone else is just WAITING for a chance to get their revenge.

I've gotten in rooms where 4-5 players were doing this, in essence turning a limit or pot-limit game into a coin-tossing or dart throwing contest. Time to get out.

To me, semi-bluffing is when you have SOMETHING, and on the next card you could have the winning hand. Say there are two hearts on the table. You've got A-7 of hearts. Another heart and you've got the nut flush. Anything BUT a heart and you've lost everything you've already invested in this hand.

to me this is the essence of semi-bluffing:

You can win two ways; if your opponent folds, or if a heart comes up.