Poker deceit

It is usually not recommended by experts that you sow deceit at the poker table. As theory goes, confusion is not what a good player should be after. A confused opponent has a 50% chance of making the exact choice you don't want him to make. A good poker player is supposed to "cultivate" his/her opponents. He cannot act passive and let good things come to him, he has to go out there and generate value.

It would seem though, that while at it, a little bit of confusion is welcome nonetheless.
If your checking always means that you don't really have anything and all you want is another free card, your opponents will sooner or later realize this and raise just to spite you. If your betting and raising clearly means that you have something of a monster, again, you're not doing it right.

There are several ways you can induce a little healthy confusion into your play.
The check-raise is one of these moves. Whenever the flop hits you for something fairly comfortable (like two pairs, trips or even a high pair) you may want to check first. The guy, who is in late position, likes to bet into a bunch of limpers in front of him, in order to make at least some fold and thus generate positive expected value. As soon as he does it, you raise him. That'll give him something to think about. He'll either muck it right there or he'll call your raise, thus putting money into a pot that you will win.

The semi bluff is another move meant to sow confusion. You bluff, but then again, maybe you don't... that's what's so confusing about it. A semi bluff is usually pulled when you don't really have anything at the moment, but your hand has the potential to dramatically improve.(like chasing a flush after the flop). Even though your hand can turn into a monster on the turn or the river, you're still hoping you won't have to see those cards and end it right there.

If your opponent decides to call your semi-bluff, he might find himself in the situation that your hand beats the living crap out of his at showdown. It'll leave him wondering whether what you just pulled on him was a bluff or not...

In case you are indeed chasing a flush you'll have nine outs to make your hand, on the turn or the river. If your opponents indicate weakness by checking, it makes sense for you to semi-bluff and try to take the pot down. Even if they call you, you have a pretty good chance to make the flush.

Slow-playing is one of the most widely used deceptive plays in poker. The problem with it is, it too can be read if not used correctly. When you slow-play a hand, you basically pretend you're weak, and limp along only to lower the boom on the opposition, right before showdown, when they're already pot-committed.