This time, I would like to summarize the key points of semi-bluffing.
◆Semi-bluff◆
A semi-bluff is a bet or raise made when you have a hand that is likely not the best hand at the moment, but could become the best hand on a later street.
The difference between a semi-bluff and a pure bluff is the presence or absence of outs and the number of outs.
There are two ways to win with a semi-bluff:
1) Make your opponent fold by betting or raising, or
2) Complete your draw to create the best hand.
A good semi-bluff hand is one that has no showdown value (such as an Ace high or a pair hand) and has the potential to be strong on later streets (such as a draw or an overcard against the board).
Example:
CO 
opens and only BB calls. HU
flop
The CO has position and currently has 9-high, so it’s unlikely that he has the best hand, but he has a strong flush draw.
By calling a corner now, he has a high chance of folding a pair hand under 99, or a hand like a Q-high or a J-high.
Let’s say the big blind calls the CO’s corner.
The turn
The cutoff player now has a flush.
From here, they can make a value bet.
They could have an A or K that called the flop’s cashback, or a straight with AT, KT, or QJ that makes two pair on the turn.
Even if a flush card comes down on the turn, it’s difficult for those hands to fold on the turn, so don’t slowplay here and make sure to get value from these value targets.
If you can get your opponent to fold with a semi-bluff on the flop, that’s a good result, and even if the flop is called, you can still aim for value against your opponent’s strong range.
◆Advantages of semi-bluffing◆
There are four main benefits to semi-bluffing:
① You can maintain the initiative.
② You can win the pot on the spot.
③ It’s easy to get free cards.
④ You can expect value if you complete a draw.
Regarding ①, if you compare the range for checking the flop with the range for cbetting, the range for checking is weaker.
In other words, by cbetting with a semi-bluff, you can keep your range strong and also maintain the initiative.
Regarding ②, as mentioned above, you are more likely to win the pot without having the best hand.
For example, if your opponent has a 50% share of the pot and you have a 50% share at the time of the flop, if you can get your opponent to fold, you can take their 50% as well.
Regarding ③, especially if you have position, if the original raiser makes a CB, there is a high probability that the opponent will check on the turn.
This makes it easier for you to check and get a free card.
Regarding ④, if your semi-bluff bet is called on the flop, your opponent is likely to have some kind of hand, and if you complete your draw after the turn, you can expect value from those hands.
◆Semi-bluff when there is no position◆
Semi-bluffing when you have position is easier than when you don’t have position.
This is because, of course, you have a position advantage, but in that case, you often also have a range advantage, so cornerbacks are easier to make.
When you don’t have position, the opposite is true, so semi-bluffing becomes more difficult.
Now let’s consider semi-bluffing (check-raising) when you’re out of position.
For example, if you call an open-raise from the BTN with the BB, the BTN’s open-raising range is wide, so a semi-bluff check-raise from the BB can be effective.
However, if you get a draw, you shouldn’t check-raise with every hand.
Draws with a lot of outs, such as flush draws and open-ended straight draws, have enough outs and equity to call your opponent’s cornerback.
If you check-raise with one of these good draws and your opponent 3-bet, you’ll be out of position, making it a very difficult spot.
Therefore, in this situation, a hand with decent equity and that’s likely to fold your opponent’s 3-bet is appropriate.
This play is more effective against players who tend to have a wide open-raising range and a high chance of cornerbacking.
Let’s look at some examples.
Example: On the flop, the BB calls ① in response to an open raise from the BTN.
On this flop, you have a gutshot straight draw and a backdoor flush draw.
You could check-call (float) the flop, but you have no showdown value, and if a high card comes up after the turn, it will be difficult to bluff on the river.
If you check-raise here, you can double-barrel with cards like the turn’s 6 (completes a straight), T (open-ended straight draw), or spade (flush draw) to put pressure on your opponent.
On the flop of ②
On this flop, you have a gutshot straight draw and a backdoor nut flush draw.
Since you have showdown value with A-high, you can check-call, but it’s also a good choice for a semi-bluff.
If you check-raise here, you can double-barrel with cards like the turn’s 2 (completes your straight) or diamond (nut flush draw) to put pressure on your opponent.
The turn’s A is often the best hand, so you can double-barrel for value or check-call.
On the flop of 3
On this flop, you have two overcards, a gutshot straight draw, and a backdoor flush draw.
If you check-raise here, you can double-barrel with cards like the turn’s 9 (completes the straight), K (open-ended straight draw), or club (flush draw) to put pressure on your opponent.
The turn’s Q or J are likely to be the best hands, and since they have showdown value, you can also check-call.
