If you want to be a winning poker player you’ve got to be deceptive. Simply waiting for the nuts and dumping all your chips in the middle will leave you broke in no time. You have to learn as many deceptive tactics as your brain can hold, and learn when and when not to use them. One of these deceptive tactics is the semi-bluff.

A semi-bluff is not like a regular bluff where your hand is worthless but you try to fake strength and steal the pot. With a semi-bluff you still have a hand of little or no value, but you have a possible draw that could improve your hand. When you make a semi-bluff you’re hoping for one of two possible profitable outcomes. Either your opponent will fold to your bet and give you the pot, or you will hit your draw giving you a winning hand.

Now that you know what a semi-bluff is, here’s how to implement it successfully. First you have to know a few things about your opponents. You don’t want to attempt a semi-bluff against too many opponents and you don’t want to attempt a semi-bluff against an incredibly loose opponent. Just like a regular bluff, a semi-bluff doesn’t play well against more than two or three opponents because it’s more likely that one of them will have a good hand. Against a loose player you’ll never be able to get them to lay down their hand with the bluff, leaving you relying solely on your draw.

When you do attempt a semi-bluff you’ll usually want to do it from a late position. With fewer players to act behind you will have more information on your opponent’s hands, which should lower the chances of one of them raising you. Be wary of players who like to check raise because they can easily bust your semi-bluff.

Most semi-bluffs are made with four cards to a flush or four cards to a straight. When making your semi-bluff try and bet enough so it will be an incorrect play for your opponent to bet according to pot odds. This way you should either win the pot after they correctly fold, or at least have them going against the odds if they call. Either way it should be profitable for you in the long run.

Photo of University to Pro Poker Player

Poker has been one the most popular forms of recreation for university students for at least four or five years now. Lots of us spent more time playing cards than we did reading books, and some played so well that attending class meant losing money. There are many young players today that are finishing university and trying poker out for size. It’s the new ‘backpacking trip through Europe for a year expedition before you start your career’ thing. Smart people recognize the huge amounts of money that are up for grabs for a skilled and intelligent player.

There are a lot of things to consider before one decides to tell their parents that the money they just spent on your education will not start to return anything on their investment quite yet. Choosing to create a future for yourself that has you earning a living by playing poker is no easy feat. Beyond the doubt and raised eyebrows you will face from family and friends, there are many obstacles to face as a professional player.

We’ve all heard the success stories about players still in school amassing a huge bankroll or winning a WSOP bracelet. Phil Hellmuth is the most famous example of a player that went right into poker from university and never looked back. It can be done if you have what it takes. What does it take, you ask? That’s not easily answered, but I’ll say what I say to other players that talk about going pro. If you truly want to be a winning poker player it can be achieved, you just have to be willing to deal with any obstacle you may face in your journey towards that achievement.

Let your bankroll dictate whether you can live off of your play, and be willing to do whatever is required so that everything that needs to be taken care of every month does in fact get taken care of. Learn everything you can and control your emotions. (I say that like it’s an easy task.)

I say it can be your reality if you believe it will be, and you’re willing to put in the effort required to develop your game to the highest of levels.