Hold’em Poker : Semi-Bluffing and Defensive Gambling

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Seems like most folks are often talking about pre-flop method, so I wanted to talk a tiny bit about how I bet on soon after the flop. Possibly I can help others, or maybe they have advice to enhance my play.

I consider that two of the most important plays immediately after the flop are the semi-bluff and the defensive wager. That’s because these are the plays you generate if you havent hit a hand but you might have a good drawing hand. Its easy to play a hand once you flop a monster. But I think that these two are the ideal methods to wager on a drawing. Each one is wagered depending on you challenger(s) and your postion. So here is how I play it, so tell me what you think.

Early Placement – Tight Opponents:

A semi-bluff works fairly well in this position. Appear out betting and if a tight gambler did not hit a hand he will most likely lay down, and if he’s unsure you might have a call. Except watch out, if that tight gambler comes back over the best it might be time to get away.

Early Position – Loose Competitors

That is were I like to perform a defensive bet. Choose how several chips you might be willing to chance on your draw and bet. It is usually a much lower wager than normal. It has been my understanding that the loose player will usually just call a wager rather than re-raise. Nevertheless, should you check to them, theyre more likely to throw in far more chips than your willing to pay.

Late Placement – Tight Opponents

This really is the ideal time to complete a semi-bluff, specifically if most of the table checks. If that’s the case you will probaly pick up the pot now. If a player before has bet, you have to choose if he has a hand or not. If not, then reraise and he will probably go away since he was attempting to steal the pot. If you feel he does, properly then it is time to calculate your odds, and decide if the pot odds are worth the call.

Late Placement – Loose Competitors

This one can be a bit challenging, because it is harder to put a loose player on a hand. And if your in late place against loose player, chances are they’ve already bet. That is had been I usually come to a decision to take a chance and appear back over the top of them and pray they do not call, and if they do, well then its time to gamble. Chances are though even a loose gambler will go away should you arrive back strong enough.

Remember though that these are moves I only generate right after the flop comes and I have a reasonable drawing hand (usually not a gutshot either). Maybe 4 to the flush or the open ended straight, for example.