Part: Part Six - Betting After the Flop
The check-raise semi-bluff
Pre-flop
A button opens and you defend the big blind with T♠9♠.
Button opens; you hold T♠9♠ in the BB. Best?
WhyCall. A suited connector that flops big draws.
What happensYou call. Pot: 1,300 (6.5 BB).
Flop
Flop J♠ 6♠ 2♦ - you flop a flush draw with two overcards. You check, the button c-bets.
You flop a big draw out of position and he c-bets. Best?
WhyCheck-raise semi-bluff. You can win two ways: he folds now, or you complete one of your many outs (flush, plus straight/pair outs). Combining fold equity with strong draw equity makes the raise far better than a passive call.
What happensYou check-raise to 2,400; he folds his unpaired hand. You take it without a showdown.
With a big draw you check-raised as a semi-bluff - fold equity now plus a heap of outs when called. Aggression with draws beats passively calling and hoping.
Check-raise your big draws as semi-bluffs - you win when they fold and you still have heavy equity when they don't.