Semi-bluffing is a very common practice among poker players. If you've played traditional or online poker games at least a couple of times you've probably heard of it. Semi-bluffing is considered a great way to mix up your game and turn you into a stronger opponent. Some of you would ask, what is semi-bluffing and how it differs from bluffing or not bluffing at all? What makes it so special? Is semi-bluffing a fair practice? And, if not, why is it used? How do we know when our opponent is semi-bluffing? All of these are excellent questions and we'll try to provide clear and in-depth answers for them as we go along.

What is semi-bluffing?

Players typically go for semi-bluffing when they have a hand with a promise of potential improvement (a 'drawing hand'). Therefore, a semi-bluff is actually a partial bluff with certain truth in it. A semi-bluff differs from a straight bluff in that, if you are by any chance called, you still have an opportunity to win. In a real bluff, if you are called, you are almost certainly beaten.

When used against players with weak hands it functions a lot like a real bluff. However, when used against players with relatively good hands, semi-bluffing looks a lot like aggressive play and may provoke an unexpected reaction from your opponents. What we mean to say is, that you need to be very careful if you decide to use semi-bluffing as your winning strategy. Although, occasionally, it may save your behind, semi-bluffing can also turn out to be a source of extensive and very painful loss.

Is semi-bluffing a fair practice?

Well, that's a question with several answers to it. Some seasoned poker players would tell you that, in poker (and virtually in any other casino game), whatever you can get away with in order to win is simply a 'must.' Consequently, many poker enthusiasts regard semi-bluffing as yet another winning strategy. If they feel that semi-bluffing is what they should do to beat their opponents, they would not think twice about whether or not to apply it. Others, however, may maintain that semi-bluffing is a completely unfair practice. In any case, it is our educated advice that you use semi-bluffing in a moderate frequency.

How do we recognize a semi-bluffer?

Giving a sastisfying answer to this question is extremely difficult. It's the same as asking, 'How do we recognize a bluffer?' We guess that, in most cases, you just need to listen to your gut feeling. Remember that the best time to practice this technique is when you have a good hand that is one card away from becoming unbeatable. Try to read your opponent's behavior and figure out whether he is in this particular position. On the other hand, consider the fact that, in low limit games, there is a higher percentage of hands that survive until the showdown. Therefore, in most cases players avoid bluffing at all. Generally speaking, it is your playing experience that is supposed to help you out whenever you suspect that someone is bluffing or semi-bluffing.

So, to semi-bluff or not to semi-bluff?

Semi-bluffing is here to stay as a legitimate playing strategy. We guess that you've already realized that the decision on whether or not to use this poker strategy is entirely up to you. The ability to use it wisely is most likely to take you to the next level of your poker expertise.