Originally posted by Winning!
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There are only ever two reasons to bet. Ever.
- For value. when you expect worse hands to call.
- As a bluff when you expect better hands, or those with reasonable equity, to fold
There are secondary benefits to betting, keeping your range wide, dead money etc, but each time the primary reason to bet is only ever one of the two above. A semi-bluff, is still a bluff at when the bet is made.
In the hand in question, why is AK 4betting?.
Worse aces won't be calling.
Some pocket pairs call. This isn't what we want, as contrary to the common perception we aren't flipping. We are 50/50 all-in to the river. But as we are so deep and their is betting on the flop and turn, a PP has a big edge over us.
Some mid pocket pairs fold. This is what we want, and its where our value comes from.
The fact that we have the best hand isn't important. If you bet, and taking it down is the best outcome, then its a bluff. The fact that we have outs verses strong hands like QQ makes it a semi-bluff, but it is still a bluff.
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