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Getting Caught In The The Semi-Bluff

POKER pro Daniel Negreanu has some tips on "Dos and don'ts on semi-bluffing with big draws".

As Negreanu says, a pair with a flush draw is a chance to pull off a semi-bluff - "making a bet or raise that you hope will not be called, but leaves you some outs if it is."

It is bluff with a back-up plan.

But you can go wrong; of course, you can go wrong - your opponent doesn't fold, perhaps because he has committed too big of a percentage of his roll to the pot.

Or if your opponent folds easily, in which case the trick is to convince your opponent that you think he has a strong hand.

Or if your opponents are rank beginners and have no idea what you're trying to do.

Negreanu advises playing a big draw aggressively on the flop: "On the flop, with two cards yet to come, a big draw can actually be favoured over even a hand like pocket aces."

As with all tactics, it is best to use the semi-bluff wisely and sparingly.

As cardchat says: "Seeing a cheap river with your strong draw may actually be a lot better, even if there's a chance that your opponent will fold when you raise or bet."

As ever, it comes down to recognising the chance to act. And you only do that by playing and getting more experience.

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