Texas Holdem Poker : Semi-Bluffing and Defensive Betting

Seems like most people are always talking about pre-flop strategy, so I wanted to speak a small spot about how I play after the flop. Maybe I can assist others, or maybe they have got advice to improve my play.

I believe that two of the most of import plays after the floating-point operation are the semi-bluff and the defensive bet. That is because these are the plays you do when you havent hit a manus but you have got a good drawing hand. Its easy to play a manus when you floating-point operation a monster. But I believe that these two are the best ways to play a drawing. Each 1 is played depending on you opponent(s) and your postion. So heres how I play it, so state me what you think.

Early Position - Tight Opponents:

A semi-bluff plant fairly well in this position. Come out betting and if a tight player didnt hit a manus Hell probaly put down, and if heliums uncertain you may acquire a call. But ticker out, if that tight player come ups back over the top it may be time to acquire away.

Early Position - Loose Opponents

This is were I like to make a defensive bet. Decide how many chips you are willing to put on the line on your draw and bet. This is usually a much littler stake than normal. Its been my experience that the loose player will usually just name a stake rather than re-raise. However, if you check up on to them, theyre more than likely to throw in more chips than your willing to pay.

Late Position - Tight Opponents

This is the best time to make a semi-bluff, especially if most of the table checks. If thats the lawsuit youll probaly pick up the pot now. If a player before have got bet, you have to make up one's mind if he have a manus or not. If not, then reraise and Hell probably travel away since he was trying to steal the pot. If you believe he does, well then its time to cipher your odds, and make up one's mind if the pot likelihood are deserving the call.

Late Position - Loose Opponents

This 1 is a spot tricky, because its harder to set a loose player on a hand. And if your in late place against loose player, opportunities are they have got already bet. This is were I usually make up one's mind to take a opportunity and come up back over the top of them and hope they dont call, and if they do, well then its time to gamble. Chances are though even a loose player will travel away if you come up back strong enough.

Remeber though that these are moves I only do after the floating-point operation come ups and I have got a nice drawing manus (usually not a gutshot either). Maybe four to the flush or the unfastened ended straight, for example.

* You can notice on this article at http://www.texasholdemforums.com/showthread.php?t=2349