Hold em Poker : Semi-Bluffing and Defensive Gambling

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Seems like most persons are often talking about pre-flop technique, so I would like to speak a little bit about how I play following the flop. Perhaps I can help others, or maybe they’ve got advice to enhance my play.

I consider that 2 of the most significant plays soon after the flop are the semi-bluff and the defensive bet. That’s because these are the plays you make when you havent hit a hand but you could have a good drawing hand. Its easy to wager on a hand when you flop a monster. Except I consider that these 2 are the greatest techniques to bet on a drawing. Each one is bet depending on you opponent(s) and your postion. So here is how I wager on it, so tell me what you think.

Early Position – Tight Competitors:

A semi-bluff works fairly effectively in this position. Appear out wagering and if a tight player didn’t hit a hand he will most likely lay down, and if he’s unsure you may possibly receive a call. Except watch out, if that tight gambler comes back more than the best it may be time to acquire away.

Early Placement – Loose Competitors

It is had been I like to accomplish a defensive wager. Choose how many chips you might be willing to chance on your draw and bet. This can be usually a much smaller bet than normal. It has been my experience that the loose player will usually just call a bet rather than re-raise. Even so, if you check to them, theyre additional likely to throw in additional chips than your willing to pay.

Late Placement – Tight Opponents

This is the very best time to try and do a semi-bluff, specially if most of the table checks. If that’s the case you will probaly pick up the pot now. If a gambler prior to has wager, you might have to come to a decision if he has a hand or not. If not, then reraise and he’ll possibly go away since he was attempting to steal the pot. Should you feel he does, nicely then it’s time to determine your odds, and make a decision if the pot odds are worth the call.

Late Location – Loose Opponents

This one is really a bit challenging, simply because it’s more difficult to put a loose player on a hand. And if your in late position against loose player, odds are they have already bet. That is were I usually decide to take a chance and come back more than the top of them and hope they don’t call, and if they do, properly then its time to wager. Odds are though even a loose gambler will go away when you appear back strong enough.

Remember although that these are moves I only make right after the flop comes and I have a decent drawing hand (usually not a gutshot either). Perhaps four to the flush or the open ended straight, for instance.