Semi-Bluffing in NL

Just trying to make my way through TOP now and have just finished the semi-bluffing chapter. I didn't feel like alot of this chapter could be applied to NL however, since with draws and low pair good kicker situations, I thought it was important to keep the pot small except for rare occasions when u think ur opponent is weak tight and will lay it down there. Am I wrong with this? I am having some trouble applying some of the concepts he discusses to NL, except of course for the math sections which can be applied universally to poker. Any tips on how i can relate some of this literature to NL play, and what chapters i should be escpecially focused on. Thanks...
Ivey

[beavens]

are you serious?

semibluffs are huge in NL

It is not required to read top or any other book to understand the basics of such a move. It should be intuitively sensed that if you bet, an opponent may fold, and that in doing so it is preferred to have a drawing hand.
That's all there is to semi-bluffing, take a hand that has a chance of improvement, bet hard against an opponent you suspect to be drawing, have a weak holding, or will fold to such a bet.

hope this helps cause that is a way out there question

Cambraceres

[tripp0807]

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hope this helps cause that is a way out there question

Cambraceres

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Saying that this is "a way out there question" is nonsense.

Perhaps if you think that such questions are so far beyond you and the forums where you post, you should go to the higher stakes forums where your wealth of knowledge will be better appreciated. You're bankrolled for such games and your ability and knowledge are sufficient to play there, I assume...

OP: Semi-bluffs are of questionable validity in lower stakes games, as well stated by SRM80, because they're generally populated with habitual calling stations. Since you're more likely to get called, the move loses one of its best attributes - getting opponents to fold.

[kurto]

"OP: Semi-bluffs are of questionable validity in lower stakes games,"

I don't think this is true. There are a lot of good reasons that the semibluff is an important tool, even at the lower stakes games.

(1) It is wrong to assume all players don't pay attention at the lowerstakes games. Semi-bluffing is one tool to keep opponents from putting a read on you. This may not be AS important as at a table with good players, but it is still a useful tool nevertheless.
(2) related to one: It disguises your hand. Which is easier to play against? Someone who only bets when they have something or someone who bets BOTH when they have something and when they have draws?
(3) Oftentimes... betting will take the pot. You will take many pots you would have had little chance to win without betting.
(4) Building a pot. If you have 5 passive limpers in a pot and you have a nut flush draw... you may not get paid off one you make your flush. But your odds are correct if they'll all call your draw.
(5) Superdraws-- statistically, you may have the best hand with 2 cards to come. Get the money in while you're ahead.

I may be missing some but I think that hits a lot of the big points.

Semi-bluffs are huge, probably my biggest source of income lol

[ajmargarine]

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Semi-bluffs are huge, probably my biggest source of income lol

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I hope your jopking.

Semi-bluffs:

--villians sometimes fold.
--villians often give you a free card afterwards.
--disguises Hero's hand.
--builds a pot for when you do hit.
--makes you tougher to play against...(next time you raise with a monster made hand, and villian thinks he's chasing a flush again)

well, i'm obviously exaggerating, but I do think they are a huge and integral part of NL, and yes I do make alot of money because of semi-bluffs...I find they're great to check-raise with and create alot of dead money

[4_2_it]

I make most of my money with AA, but it is just variance [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

Semi-bluffing is important, but you still have to make a hand to get real paid.

[Isura]

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I make most of my money with AA, but it is just variance [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

Semi-bluffing is important, but you still have to make a hand to get real paid.

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