semibluff on a draw
 

Was this a terrible play? figured I had about 13 outs with a small possibility for more. villain is semi-loose aggressive

Party Poker No-Limit Hold'em, $ BB (6 max, 5 handed) converter

SB ($54.5)
BB ($53.9)
UTG ($66.3)
MP ($60.9)
Hero ($52.65)

Preflop: Hero is Button with A[img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img], Q[img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img]. SB posts a blind of $0.25.
<font color="#CC3333">UTG raises to $3</font>, <font color="#666666">1 fold</font>, Hero calls $3, <font color="#666666">2 folds</font>.

Flop: ($6.75) T[img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img], 3[img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img], K[img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img] <font color="#0000FF">(2 players)</font>

Villain bets 6$ Hero goes all in for 50$. Villain calls

Turn: ($6.75) 4[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img] <font color="#0000FF">(2 players)</font>

River: ($6.75) 8[img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img] <font color="#0000FF">(2 players)</font>

Final Pot: $100

Re: semibluff on a draw
 

I could use some help on my semibluffing abilities. Does nobody have a comment on this hand?

Re: semibluff on a draw
 

I don't like this at all. You do have a lot of outs but there is no reason to put all your money in when you are on the draw, I think here you need to call or fold. The next card could have only costed you 6 dollars, instead you made it another 44. When you are drawing, correct me if I am wrong, but I think you want to see more cards for the cheapest amount possible.

Re: semibluff on a draw
 

if I call and a blank comes then I'm in a tough spot.

with 13 outs I have a 48.1% chance of hitting one by the river. If I have more outs then I am actually a favorite (over 50%) to hit one of my outs.

If I call here and he has AK and a blank comes on the turn he will bet the pot again. and then I'm pretty screwed...stuck with a very hard decision.

Re: semibluff on a draw
 

I think this is a clear call - you are definitely just about getting proper odds, and if you hit you will should make some money. He probably bet the pot to make sure a straight OR a flush draw wasn't getting good enough odds, but you had both, so he probly did have AK.

If you called an he checked to you on the turn, then maybe he had AQ and you could take down the pot with a moderate bet.

Re: semibluff on a draw
 

I guess I was thinking that I had some fold equity here as well. I think there is a good chance this guy is going to fold as he is semi-loose aggressive and could have a variety of hands here. if the worst comes he has a set and will definitely call, and then I still have about 40% chance to win.

if he is bluffing then he is likely to be successful if I just call here.

Re: semibluff on a draw
 

How about raising to $18. If he has something like JJ he folds. If he calls, you can take the free card at the turn when he checks to you (if you miss).

You see turn and river for $18. If you hit the flush, you have a better chance of getting paid than if you just call the flop.

Re: semibluff on a draw
 

Thank you very much iceman. That line makes a lot of sense. I knew there was something better than calling down.

I only have one problem now. If I raise him 12$ to 18$ then I have about 30$ left. and the pot is at about 28$. So what happens if he pushes now? I think I have to call don't I?

Re: semibluff on a draw
 

I think iceman's line is the most commonly suggested one. Raise here ($15, or $18, or whatever you would raise with a strong hand). If he calls, fine, check behind on the turn and you might even be able to get him to bet into you on the river. If he bets the turn again, then time to re-evaluate (call if you think the odds are right). If he re-raises you, you're basically pot committed with such a strong draw so you may as well push (or call all-in).

Re: semibluff on a draw
 

What legitimate hand would Hero raise to 18$ with here? Two pair?

Re: semibluff on a draw
 

any set or any combination of pair/flush/straight draws.

Re: semibluff on a draw
 

I think Hero would smooth call with a set here. I would try to play this draw the same way and just smooth call here.

Re: semibluff on a draw
 

Beginners flat call with a set there. People who want to win big pots raise with a set.

The real question should be, what made hand would push all in there?

Re: semibluff on a draw
 

why would hero smooth call a set here. the board is very coordinated and this would be a good time to give villain a bad price if he was holding any draws. plus there are many cards here that can scare both of you on the turn.

now as to the hand in question where we're the ones holding the big draw. if villain is weak enough to check the turn after you raise the flop then that would be the better line as explained by other posters in this thread. also if villain's range of hands that he opens with preflop is wide enough then i like the raise as well so that we can take the pot down right there if he missed.

Re: semibluff on a draw
 

I usually smooth call with sets. I don't like to try to blow people off their hands when I flop the goods, I like to try and milk them. Is raising with a set your default play? And I don't think anything legitimate pushes here, except (maybe) the stone cold nuts.

Re: semibluff on a draw
 

i'm not saying calling is the best play here but suppose you raise the flop and you're up against a good player, he may lead out on the turn w/ a blank, what do you do then?

Re: semibluff on a draw
 

Assuming you miss, then it depends on what kind of odds you're getting from the pot.

Re: semibluff on a draw
 

well if it matters to you guys at all
in this case villain showed down KK for a set of kings.