Quote Originally Posted by Humphrind
Quote Originally Posted by Flatbush
a semi-bluff is only a semi-bluff when you think that there is a reasonable chance everyone will fold.
A semi bluff is where you bet into a pot without a made hand. With any good draw, even several good draws, you do not have a good hand yet, but you can still make a good hand. Overcards, straight draw, flush draw, all can cause semi-bluffs. Often you won't mind if people call. Sometimes you WANT people to call.

I think the point you are trying to make is unless there is a chance others will fold, the bet is for value. There's no bluff about it. That is true... sometimes.

I have 9h Th

Flop comes 3s 7h 8h

I'm betting at this pot 8 days a week. With an outside straight flush draw and 2 overs. You can call my bet value or a semi-bluff. it's all the same. And I want callers.
For a semi bluff to be a semi bluff then there MUST be a chance everyone will fold, that's what a semi-bluff is. It is one when you are pretty sure you are behind, and you think there is still a good chance to win if you are behind and you get callers....but you would generally rather win right there.

The draw need not be nearly as good as the one you describe above. In fact, I would think your draw is almost too strong to be a semi-bluff....cause you do want callers....like you said, its for value....it's NOT really a semi bluff.

I have seen much discussion of semi-bluffs being almosty passe in modern poker, and you can expect to often get VALUE 3 BETTED (bad grammar, sorry) if you semi bluff too often...which is costly.

I think we agree, but the possible fold is a nuts and bolts aspect of the definition of "semi-bluff".