Texas Hold em Poker : Semi-Bluffing and Defensive Betting

Saturday, 21. September 2013

Seems like most men and women are constantly talking about pre-flop strategy, so I wanted to speak a bit about how I play after the flop. Maybe I can aid others, or maybe they have advice to enhance my play.

I consider that two of the most crucial plays following the flop are the semi-bluff and the defensive wager. That’s because these are the plays you produce once you havent hit a hand but you’ve a good drawing hand. Its easy to bet on a hand once you flop a monster. But I consider that these two are the finest ways to play a drawing. Each one is bet depending on you opponent(s) and your postion. So here is how I play it, so tell me what you think.

Early Position – Tight Opponents:

A semi-bluff works fairly effectively in this position. Arrive out wagering and if a tight gambler didn’t hit a hand he’ll most likely lay down, and if he’s unsure you may perhaps get a call. But watch out, if that tight gambler comes back over the top it may be time to receive away.

Early Place – Loose Competitors

This really is were I like to try and do a defensive bet. Make a decision how many chips you’re willing to chance on your draw and bet. This is normally a much smaller wager than normal. It has been my experience that the loose gambler will usually just call a bet rather than re-raise. Even so, when you check to them, theyre far more likely to throw in additional chips than your willing to pay.

Late Location – Tight Opponents

This can be the finest time to perform a semi-bluff, especially if most of the table checks. If that is the case you’ll probaly pick up the pot now. If a player prior to has bet, you’ve got to come to a decision if he has a hand or not. If not, then reraise and he will possibly go away since he was trying to steal the pot. When you feel he does, well then it’s time to calculate your odds, and decide if the pot odds are worth the call.

Late Place – Loose Opponents

This one is really a bit tricky, simply because it’s more difficult to put a loose gambler on a hand. And if your in late place against loose gambler, chances are they have already wager. It is had been I usually decide to take a chance and appear back over the top of them and hope they do not call, and if they do, effectively then its time to wager. Odds are though even a loose gambler will go away if you arrive back strong enough.

Bear in mind although that these are moves I only produce immediately after the flop comes and I have a respectable drawing hand (usually not a gutshot either). Possibly four to the flush or the open ended straight, for example.

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