Just as in the situation with the usual bluff, the semi-bluff requires a proper preparation. Of course, you need to make your opponent believe you. In this situation you should bet exactly the same way as if you have a high pocket hand.

Let’s assume that you call after the Big blinder raised with Ace of spades and 10 of spades. The flop reveals Queen of spades, Jack of diamonds and 2 of spades. In situation like this, a player who can be easily read, will raise immediately. On the other hand, with a strong hand he will check hoping for check – raise. If an observant opponent notices this trend, he actually will not make any mistakes and that’s not the point, is it?

Instead of doing that when you have a draw hand, you can check – raise. In this situation, your opponents are likely to decide that you have a stronger hand than it really is. The size of the check-raise should not be too large, in fact, most likely, with a strong hand, you would not have to scare away your opponents. This technique is especially winning because of the so-called two- level bluff. The bottom line is that you make a small check-raise on the flop (ant its size is so small that the opponent is likely to call), and then “fire” a big bet on the turn.

Thus, the bet on the flop makes the bluff more effective on the turn. An even more effective weapon is a three-level semi-bluff. A good player can decide on the flop, that you will bet on every street, even if you do not form a hand. On one hand, the bet on the river is a pure bluff, but on the other hand, it is a part of a great semi-bluff. If you decide to bluff until the end, having no hand, it’s probably the best scenario. After all, your bluff is supported by the bets on previous streets.