Poker Tips - Hold 'em

Utilize the bluff and semi-bluff

The most fun in poker.... the bluff. I got nothing, but I raise! Well, there you go! There's nothing quite like the feeling of rush... and relief when you pull off the perfectly executed bluff. I've got friends who are excellent at making nice bets at the right time, against the right players, and at the right frequency when a "scare" card shows up on the turn or river. In this year's WSOP, Daniel Negreanu is bluffed out of a pot on day two when a 10 pairs the board on the river by an all-in bet from another player at the table. Daniel had the best hand, put his opponent on the right hand but folded to the bluff. How sweet is that.... to bluff Daniel Negreanu out of a pot where he is ahead on national... international television. The only thing that would have made that bluff better would have been for the perpetrator to have shown the bluff.

A bluff can be very effective when used rarely, and where there is a seemingly low risk of being called by your opponent.

The semi-bluff is quite different. There are those times in poker where you may not have the best hand, but you have a tremendous "drawing" hand. In other words, while you may be behind right now, there are so many cards that would put you ahead, you feel safe in making a semi-bluff bet. In many instances, you will take the pot down right there and in those instances where you do not, and get called, it is very possible that your improvement cards will come. And if you're in late position and make that bet after the flop, it may get you a free card on the river. The semi-bluff is a great play and in many instances when you get called, you have made a pot builder bet that when your card hits, you can often get paid off because your opponents may not put you on the newly made hand!