Poker Glossary

Semi-Bluff

A bet or raise with a hand that is currently behind but holds real outs to become best — a draw with aggression attached. You win two ways: they fold now (fold equity), or you hit later (card equity), and the sum of the two often beats calling passively. Big combo draws are the classic vehicles; pure air has only one way to win and made hands do not need the folds — the semi-bluff lives profitably in between.

At the table

You jam A♥9♥ on J♥6♥2♠ over their c-bet — nut-flush draw plus an overcard. They fold plenty, and when called you are still roughly 45% against one pair.

House note

A semi-bluff is a lie with a backup plan. The best kind.

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