[maddog2030]

Here are some thoughts from a MSNLer, so take them for what they're worth. Feel free to tear it up.

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A smaller bet could be check called by a draw. Thats ok, but.. You arent allowing a draw to then play incorrect poker.

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As an earlier poster mentioned, betting pot isn't going to accomplish this either. He's more or less being forced to raise/fold.

You mention this later and say that you want him to c/r ai with his draws. I disagree because you are encouraging him to balance his hand range more correctly against your specific hand. He can throw a lot of draws in there with overpairs before he is going overboard. He might not even have enough draw combos here to allow him to be semibluffing too often.

Betting smaller gives him more incentive to call rather than semibluff. Weaker made hands will mostly just call. It will prevent him from drawing free. It will also most likely prevent him from bluffing lots of scare cards that can fall on the river for a hand that checks behind. All for cheaper. The obv downside is that it creates new balancing issues.

I still think checking is best, though.