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Semi-bluff

Betting with a drawing hand that can also improve to the best hand.

In depth

A semi-bluff is a bet or raise made with a drawing hand that is not currently the best but has the potential to improve to the strongest hand. This play leverages two possible outcomes: opponents may fold immediately, or the hand may complete its draw on later streets. Unlike a pure bluff, which depends solely on fold equity, a semi-bluff retains equity when called, offering a strategic middle ground between value betting and pure bluffing.

Chinese: 半诈唬